Published: November 25, 2018

Portland, Oregon atmospheric/depressive black metal duo None have an exceptional sense of ‘depth’ within sonic landscape; The best proof of this is in the guitar tones and layering therein where the scraping buzz of distortion never outshines or grates upon the listener. For music appearing as personal expression and release the expected value is a pointed but not exploitative catharsis. ‘Life Has Gone On Long Enough’ wrings sensitive melodic builds and smoothed tones for the hyper-sensitive dysthymic mind yet the album is not frail, naked sourness. Instead there is a sense of ingenuity within a sound numbed by None‘s presumed aphotic state thanks to creative harmony, cinematic builds, and evocative-yet-simple guitar/piano melody. All of these elements are somewhat standard methods for atmospheric and depressive forms of black metal alike but the combination is seamless and naturally flowing within complete and structured ideas. Where so many atmospheric artists excel at post-rock cinema, they so often fail at creating experiences with repeatable song structure; This is where None show the most strength.