10. Review of Branches by Through Mists

Originally published July 9th, 2024

About the Band

Through Mists is a death/black metal band from Montreal, Canada. It is the performance name for James Aniston, who began working on the project during the pandemic. Aniston has been responsible for all facets of production; composing the music, tracking the audio, and of course helming the title of producer. 

Branches

Branchesis a 5 song EP with a run time at around thirty minutes. It is a powerful, rhythmic, exhibition of metal. It is musically explorative and complex; consisting of a layered guitar part played in unison, with a bass that provides a supporting part to both the guitar and the drums. The drums are particularly impressive as the rhythmic patterns being executed are particularly complex. It sounds as if they’ve been programmed and are not being played live. If they’re actually being played that is an absolute compliment to the drummer because he finds himself in a rare category of people in the world who have the physical capability to play these parts. If not, it’s still incredibly impressive as the rhythm parts are so complex, it would take quite a theoretical mind to organize them. Three of the tracks also experiment with different piano and synth parts; using a variety of dissonant melodies and layering effects to support the vocals. Vocally, the singer growls and screams through each song with complete control, giving an energy to each song that will have the listener wanting to throw their body in a mosh pit and feel the sweat, the heat, and the exhausting experience; the absolute energy that exists when experiencing a metal show.

I wanted to take a moment to speak on the guitar parts more analytically. For the most part, the guitars are in sync, playing a melodical lead to the music. The guitar player is particularly talented. Both the melodic and rhythmic responsibilities are a physical feat and provide the necessary energy to catapult Through Mists in a genre that boasts its physicality of music. The thing about metal is one has to be skilled to play it. They have to be rehearsed. It will take a physical toll on a body. It is evident this guitar player has taken the time to perfect their craft physically while also exploring the musicality of their instrument as well. “Wormwood” is unique and melodically pleasing in its chord progressions, while “My Muse” explores different modes within its chorus. The entire EP is great but, musically, the guitar particularly stands out and the player is superbly impressive.

Lyrics

There are some deep lyrics within these songs, though it takes quite a trained ear to hear them in the first couple of listens as most of the vocals are growled. But there is an overall gothic tone to the songwriting; not present day gothic but a medieval vibe I’m getting. In the song “My Muse,” the lyricist is professing a love. “You make my heart sing with your golden voice.” The lyricist is depicting the moments when a person is absolutely enamored with their crush or desired. They speak of light as an evil; referring to the sun as “hateful” as it “banishes the cover of darkness.” He then speak of his love as he is chasing her down while she is barely in view. He references loyalty with the line “spurning any other choices/take my soul now/lusting in every single dream.”

The lyrical pattern is more abstract and broken, there isn’t a storytelling specificity. The lyricist almost beckons the listener to choose their setting as line after line is intentionally vague and metophorical. It is like reading a hardcore choose your own adventure novel and I think it adds an element to the songs. It is more relatable when every listener can incorporate their own experience and apply it to the scenario that is being laid out within the lyrics.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this EP has everything a metal fan would ask for. It is fast-paced. It is loud, it is physically demanding. It puts the listener in the mindset of listening to the music live. Being in the crowd. Smelling like the cheap beer that just got flung into the audience. Smelling like sweat. Aching all over from moshing. The adrenaline rush and pure elation of letting one self go. Through Mists have executed this splendidly. They’ve also taken a risk to not sound like every other death metal record. They’ve explored the complexities of their musicality; experimenting progressively, instrumentally, and with the abstract art of their lyrics. This should be an absolute listen for all fans of metal.