Liturgy 93696 (2 LPs)

Liturgy’s album 93696 is a double LP released in 2023, firmly rooted in the genre of transcendental black metal. Led by Haela Ravenna Hunt-Hendrix, the band fuses ferocious black metal with symphonic and neo-classical arrangements, creating compositions that are both ambitious and emotionally resonant. The sound is dense and multi-layered, integrating militaristic trap beats, choirs, and chamber music elements such as vibraphone and flutes. Underpinning the album is Hunt-Hendrix’s philosophical and spiritual exploration inspired by Thelema, giving the work a conceptual depth that marries intensity with meditative passages. What makes 93696 stand out in Liturgy’s catalogue is its synthesis of past experiments into a cohesive, profound vision. While the album traverses aggressive, chaotic instrumentation alongside unexpectedly tender interludes, its structure is anchored by four distinct movements, each reflecting a facet of Hunt-Hendrix’s interpretation of the laws of heaven. The result is a challenging but rewarding listening experience that demands immersion and invites reflection. The combination of genres and the mastery of production—handled by Steve Albini—ensures clarity amid the chaos, making 93696 both a personal and transcendental statement in experimental metal.