Tempered sounds, but still enrapturing as Lingua Ignota approaches the hypocrisy of Religious sectors with abolishing damnation in 'SINNER GET READY'
It’s tough to speak about Lingua Ignota, not as a means to disrespect her work, but it’s difficult to properly discuss the subject of abuse and religion, especially when this is delivered with pure raw, and deeply disturbing approach. And for her past two albums, Lingua Ignota has walked this side of black metal, all with catholic baroque touches, immense screaming, and shouting, as well as themes of abusive trauma and religious rage that’s hard to discuss properly.
Approaching her third album ‘SINNER GET READY’ is yet another tough project to discuss. While the scope of the topic, vocal tone, and instrumental aesthetic has changed, it doesn’t waver from providing a deeply terrifying view towards religion and trauma, especially with the recent Impact Statement that provides most of the lyrics another layer of truth. Unlike her past records, the instrumentation has shifted more towards acoustic folk instruments and compositions that owe towards american primitism and appalachian folk music, and Lingua Ignota’s vocals has stemmed more towards tempered vocalized singing rather than embracing the cavernous screaming that she adopted before. These shifts have resulted in the record being more slower, languid, and less immediate but still unnerving listen as the keys, guitars, strings, chimes, and Kristen Hayter’s dynamic vocals makes the ground split and shutter, and that’s not even discussing about the lyrics. Again, it may not be about a certain abuser at first, Lingua Ignota focuses more on the religious markings in Pennsylvania, hypocrisy, and damnation of evangelists and her recent abuser, and her own violent characterization towards these makes this album a bit layered than CALIGULA, but nonetheless still feels anxious and nerve-wracking. However, some of the drone and chime instruments may sometimes add to the chaos in a cluttered, stumbling manner. And personally, I don’t have that same resonance and experience towards religion which puts some kind of distance towards this album.
But besides that, this is still frightening and difficult to get into, as Lingua Ignota has struck gold with this album even with the changes in tone and instrumentation. While praising this album is neat and all, I personally wish and hope Kristin Hayter for her healing and peace in the future, because she does deserve it after all.
Favorite Tracks: PENNSYLVANIA FURNACE, PERPETUAL FLAME OF CENTRALIA, MAN IS LIKE A SPRING FLOWER, THE SOLITARY BRETHREN OF EPHRATA, REPENT NOW CONFESS NOW Least Favorite Track: MANY HANDS