Avery Dart's ambient/black metal project, Escaping Aghartha, presents its latest offering, 'Lurkers of Languid Waters', a concept album centered around the plight of eels. The record aims to raise awareness and funds for the protection of freshwater anguillid eels, particularly those in Japan, Europe, and America, which are facing the threat of overfishing. While the album's narrative is intriguing, its execution leaves much to be desired, leaving listeners with a mixed experience.
The album's opening track, 'Eel Black Market', sets the tone with its experimental nature, featuring a blend of progressive black metal, doom, drone, noise, industrial, ambient, and dungeon synth. However, the song struggles to find its footing, with a combination of grating riffs and unappealing vocals that fail to engage the listener. The use of synths that sound like a video game soundtrack and droning riffs further adds to the discomfort, making it a challenging listen. Dart's vocals, ranging from tolerable to unlistenable, contribute to the overall unpleasant experience, with snarls that are incomprehensible and grating, and weak, muffled vocals on the blackened doom track 'The Phantoms that Haunt and Linger'.
The album's second half, however, undergoes a transformation, with hooks catching hold and the music becoming more engaging. 'Journey to the Sargasso Sea' stands out as a highlight, with its uplifting and triumphant mood, serving as a fitting soundtrack for the eel's final journey. The use of synths and trems in this track creates a sense of purpose and musicality that was lacking in the first half. Yet, the album's overall structure and execution leave much to be desired, with a lack of cohesion and a sense of purpose that is only partially realized.
Dart's intention to make the listener uncomfortable is evident, but the execution falls short. The album's random noise segments, such as bell chimes and a nightmarish buzzing segment, feel added without musical purpose, contributing to the overall disorientation. The album's length, at 74 minutes, also contributes to the challenge of maintaining listener engagement.
Despite the album's flaws, it serves its purpose of raising awareness about the plight of eels. However, the mere existence of the album is not enough to ensure its success, as the music itself must be engaging and accessible. The reviewer's willingness to spend time with the album is a testament to Dart's dedication to the cause, but the overall experience leaves much to be desired. The album's rating of 1.5/5.0 reflects the mixed feelings and the need for improvement in the music's execution.
