Saidan's Fangdriller: Scars Beneath Memory's Wrist is an album that initially caught my attention due to its unique blend of scathing black metal and ultra-melodic tunes. The album, a precursor to Visual Kill, delves into the concept of loneliness and its impact on becoming an ideal target for abuse and manipulation. While Visual Kill was a wrath-wrought frenzy, Fangdriller takes a more morose and wistful approach, drawing comparisons to other albums like Moonlight Sorcery and Sacramentum. However, what sets Fangdriller apart is its expert compositions and performances, which create a cohesive and captivating listening experience. Splatterpvnk's vocals and guitar work, combined with Hundosai's drumming, create a raw and powerful sound that is both accessible and deeply emotional. The production style, while maintaining the typical raw stylings, ensures that every note is delectably audible, even amidst the background fuzz and hiss. The album's strength lies in its ability to balance melodic sensibilities with a raw, blackened sound, creating a unique and captivating listening experience. Fangdriller is an album that rewards repeated listens, with each spin revealing new depths and nuances. It is an album that showcases Saidan's refined melodicism and songwriting sophistication, making it a must-listen for fans of black metal and beyond. Overall, Fangdriller is a great addition to Saidan's discography, offering a unique and captivating listening experience that is both raw and melodic. It is an album that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on listeners and solidify Saidan's place in the metal sphere.
