Originally written by Ian Chainey
We All Die (Laughing) – henceforth referred to as WADL, because…yeah – is a two-man collaboration between vocal chameleon Arnaud Strobl (Carnival of Coal) and multi-instrument genius Déhà (loads, like this one). Favoring the avant-blargh of BM evolutionists, particularly Arcturus, Ihsahn, and Green Carnation, WADL’s debut Thoughtscanning wallows in the audio haunts of its creators’ heroes, moping at Helvete Artisan Coffee over the course of a single 33 minute track. (Or, depending on your version, that half-beast leviathan and an Amy Winehouse cover which something something crass rehab joke something something.) “Thoughtscan,” the Monster in a Box, sounds satisfied by the miles of timbres it travels, even though it doesn’t exactly go anywhere. It’s akin to someone receiving a party invitation and spending the entire night trying on clothes. In this instance, the donned-then-shed looks include light forays into goth, symphonic black metal, Manes being Manes, and some of Carnival of Coal’s jumping-bean, nü-inclinations.
On the screen, this unfairly sketches Thoughtscanning as a mess. It’s not. It’s the definition of totally fine. The vibe is right, transporting you ably from Point A to Point B if you choose to forgo questioning your surroundings. But, man, something Serling is up with the vehicle: It looks like a car, yet it tends to whinny when you tap the gas. It’s, say, Community‘s fourth season transposed to a progressive black metal world, marking its successes with focus-group-reliant finesse. It’s king of the Stans, splashing a second wave into a third wave by copying fan-listed desires. It lacks a soul. Looks the same, sounds the same, operates the same; just…not the same. A gorgeous mannequin. (*hands disappear below desk* – Andrew McCarthy.)
This, admittedly, is a hard criticism to convey without breaking down every second with notes in the margin. So, uh, we will. Here, in its entirety, is “Thoughtscan” accompanied by a visual map. Hit play and let’s go for a scroll.
