Review by Vladimir on September 28, 2023.

"Death is all we can know, Finality of what we've sown, The aeons pass, all hope denied, To the darkness joined with starless skies, Death is all we can know, As time goes on, complacence grows, In servitude we waste away, As if these things matter, as if anything lasts". These lyrics with such strength of words were wonderfully cemented in a very unusual work of art that will be the topic of this review. The topic I’ll be covering here is a US black metal band Woe and their third album Withdrawal, released on April 22nd, 2013 via Candlelight Records. 

The music of Woe is a different kind of black metal, which combines elements of modern hardcore with that of traditional black metal. What you get is your standard tremolo picking, blast beats or double-bass drumming, but the vocals opt for a completely different approach which is more shouting singing that leans towards a more hardcore punk or metalized hardcore style, rather than your standard harsh black metal vocals. Aside from this frequent vocal style, there are also moments when the vocals would switch to guttural growls, best example being the third track “All Bridges Burned”, which are also backed up by the traditionally used shouting vocals. There are also moments when the drumming leans more towards that hardcore/metalcore side with the inclusion of breakdowns, which is evident in the first track “This Is the End of the Story“, where the dynamics of the drums flow flawlessly from one part to another. The band also throws in a bit of rock ‘n roll on the fifth track “Song of My Undoing”, with an incredibly catchy mid-tempo riffing and drumming during the song’s verse, while also providing some clean singing vocals during the slower section. The aforementioned hardcore elements in the band’s music are present on the sixth track “Exhausted”, where it’s aggressively banging d-beat once the song starts. The songwriting is very well-thought and excellently put together, providing so much to hear that you can barely concentrate on what is going on. Withdrawal is definitely a very unique black metal album and also a unique album in general. There aren’t that many modern black metal bands of this sort that create such a specific output, and you can tell that the band was trying their best with this one and their effort certainly didn’t go to waste. The nature of the album gives a very misanthropic feeling, while also showing the more difficult and existential side filled with isolation and personal frustration. This album definitely has a strong psychological side, because there are so many sincere emotions in every song that can certainly take away your focus on the music and just let yourself be immersed. The album’s title perfectly summarizes the entire experience, a feeling of absolute withdrawal that just doesn’t let go from start to finish. The album’s production has a very heavy and bone crushing sound, while also creating a powerful aura around the vocals and the overall instrumental work. 

Although I would usually be very skeptical when it comes to modern black metal releases and perhaps end up regretting everything for wasting my time, Withdrawal is not that kind of example. I think that this is perhaps one of the most interesting modern day black metal releases, that shows how much the band Woe were able to put all their care and effort without trying too hard to distinguish themselves from the overall majority or attempt to please a certain audience by showing off with their musicality. Withdrawal proved to be a worthy listening experience and I think that people should give this one a go, especially if they are fans of newer generation US black metal. 

Rating: 8.6 out of 10

Review by JD on May 25, 2013.

I remember bands/artists like Bathory and Venom – these were the bands that defined what it was to be Black Metal, and how it is done. I love the newer BM as well, from Norway and even the USBM as well who are reshaping this whole darksome genre. Philadelphia based Woe are one of the newer of the US Black Metal scene that are trying to rewrite the very nature of what it is to be BM.

Started as just a one man project, Woe has come to morph into a full-fledged band that is bending all of the rules. Combining Modern BM, Post Punk with Ambient style and includes some very brutal yet grinding Crust. It comes out as something that is a wall of sheer darkness and hate with the force of a speeding jet aircraft. Musical is not the thought I had in mind while I listened to this album, it was not what I wanted.

The whole album is chaotic at best, where thundering guitars and drums are at the forefront and that never let the music flow and only a sheer wall of heavy comes at you. There are some bright spots like the brilliant 'All Bridges Burned', where the amazing acoustic intro leads into a heavy vortex of utter darkness and faith stealing evil, but for the most part the songs seem to sound the same with little to separate them.

This is not my beloved BM in any way, as I need a dose of separation and melody in the way it is recorded and played – even if it is just a little – in my Black Metal music. Woe is easily explained as sounding like screeching cat caught in a blender with a white noise generator accompanying it, which is sad because the one lone song intro seemed to show there was some redeeming talent. Satan would not be pleased.

I am not even close to liking this album. Venom would just want to kick the shit out of these (clears throat to keep from puking) musicians.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 3 (for the possibility of talent)
Atmosphere: 0
Production: 0
Originality: 0
Overall: 1

Rating: 0.8 out of 10