Triptykon – Melana Chasmata (Century Media)

Triptykon – Melana Chasmata (Century Media)

In his own way, Thomas Gabriel Fischer — fka Tom G. Warrior — was sort of a self-sabotaging Kozelek-ian troll this year: First, he slagged off his own new album, Triptykon’s doomy Melana Chasmata, saying, “[It] might be the most deficient post-Celtic Frost reunion album I have been involved in.” Then, he slagged off his tour mates, the very popular (and notoriously nice) At The Gates. Fortunately, Melana Chasmata is powerful enough to overcome such conflicts and doubts. In fact, it’s an album that revels in conflicts and doubts. Melana Chasmata is not a deficient album — it’s a towering, consuming vortex — but it is, in its way, tentative, morose, and wounded. Those are not emotions often displayed in metal, especially not when the music is presented with such a dichotomous roar. In a sense, Fischer’s uncertainty serves to underscore the album’s gravity. He shouldn’t be boastful or even necessarily sure of himself: He’s a serious artist, and Melana Chasmata is a serious work of art. –Michael [LISTEN]