Review: “Moirae” by Hell Is Other People

“‘Moirae’ is an Ancient Greek term referring to three figures that are personifications of destiny. The role of the Moirae is to ensure that everyone lives out their destiny as assigned to them by the laws of the universe. We explore this necessary human process of birth, proliferation and death through these songs, couched in metaphor and esoteric meaning so the listener can interpret them as they see fit.” ~ Hell Is Other People

Originally a Post-Hardcore band when they started out in 2014, the past decade has seen Canadians Hell Is Other People devolve into the depths of despair to reach territory that is being described as Post-Blackened Hardcore with atmospheric flourishes. 2017 debut album “Embrace” was followed by a self titled EP in 2019 as the song writing partnership between guitarist Nathan Boots (Blackheart) and drummer James Ditty (Slaughterhouse on the Prairie) gathered momentum, the duo now joined by bassist and vocalist Nathan Ferreira (Cryopathy, Sentiment Dissolve, Skyless Aeons) and guitarist Nicholas Luck (Æpoch, Existential Dissipation). Taking in influences from the likes of Wolves In The Throne Room, Agalloch and Alter Of Plagues their sophomore album “Moirae” promises a dark yet serene exploration of the Fates of Greek mythology…

While there may only be five cuts in anger on this second burnt offering from Hell Is Other People, the bands long form song writing means that equates to 44 minutes of immersive music. The album begins with the title track, a vast soundscape of enticing blackened melody, rich is sombre, almost mournful textures. It’s not until the halfway point that the first haunting harsh vocals from Ferreira rise to the surface but having taken over duties in 2022 from Brandon Gruber, it’s immediately clear that he has the abilities to carry the band forward. Despite their sparce nature, the fierce vocals oppose the intense melodies offered by the blackened guitars with their dynamic rhythms to create a spellbinding contrast while capturing the imagination at the same time. Having ignited the flames, “Fates” then explores the black depths with the vocals injecting a savage, almost feral quality into the lush sonic waves. A rich guitar solo adds warmth as it extends tastefully from the heavens like a chink of light through the dark clouds overhead. Well crafted and emotionally engaging, those two opening cuts confirm that time spent in the rehearsal space creating these compositions over the past five years has been time well spent.

Painting the white to grey “Degrade” has a delicate introduction as it floats in the space between Black and Post Metal, touching on territory usually reserved for the likes of Hundred Year Old Man. Bleak and ominous while having an enduring warmth, Ditty puts another log on the smouldering embers as blast beats rise to the surface to reinvigorate the fires. A harrowing tale that sees humanity crumble to ash, it is a bittersweet misery with an atmosphere that envelopes like a dense fog on the moor. Descending yet further into the depths of despair, the gloom laden “Loss” builds a sense of existential dread, the tidal wave of emotional guitar work drowning everything in its path. Misery loves company and when it’s as beautiful as this, it’s hard to ignore with the band joining the likes of Harakiri For The Sky in the upper echelons of the genre. Perhaps more abstract in structure the grand finale that is “Atropos” has harsher vocal moments as it touches on the epic with a sense of dark majesty. An eerie ambience soaks through, the skull splitting vocals in the middle distance a call from the void with the guitar driven nature of this beast. Some may call for them to be more prominent however beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A heart ache for which there is no cure, this soul stirring magnum opus is a twisted vine that wraps around you, its sharp thorns cutting into the flesh as one pain subdues another. Resistance is futile [9/10]

Track Listing

1. Moirae
2. Fates
3. Degrade
4. Loss
5. Atropos

“Moirae” by Hell Is Other People is out 11th October 2024 via Transcending Obscurity Records. Pre-orders are available over at bandcamp.