Anthropic Bias / Departure

By now Mesarthim needs no introduction: the anonymous duo going by. And. originated in Australia in 2015, but has long since left planet Earth to reach the farthest galaxies. With this latest output, Avantgarde Music wants to bring together the two latest stand-alonge singles released by the duo, which haven't found any distribution outside of the band's own Bandcamp yet. The result is a 38-minute release that perfectly shows the most recent wanderings of the band. Anthropic Bias (2022) explores themes of cosmic significance and existential philosophy, echoing the idea of humanity's tendency to see the universe as centered around itself. The music itself is a fusion of icy, tremolo-picked guitar riffs, blast beats, and haunting, atmospheric synth layers. It carries an otherworldly mood, drifting between aggression and contemplation. The song also incorporates electronic elements and ambient interludes, which provide a vast, ethereal soundscape. This single is both relentless and meditative, capturing Mesarthim's ability to craft immersive, spacey atmospheres while retaining black metal's raw intensity. Departure (2024) leans heavily into the band's cosmic themes, evoking feelings of journeying through space or leaving behind something familiar.