The Loneliness of Black Metal: Saidan’s Fangdriller and the Art of Emotional Subjugation
There’s something about black metal that feels like a whisper from the void—a genre that thrives on isolation, despair, and the raw, unfiltered expression of human anguish. But what happens when that void isn’t just a metaphor, but a lived experience? Saidan’s Fangdriller: Scars Beneath Memory’s Wrist isn’t just an album; it’s a sonic exploration of loneliness, manipulation, and the scars we carry when we’re left to fend for ourselves. Personally, I think this is where the album truly shines—it’s not just about the music, but the emotional weight it carries.
What makes this particularly fascinating is how Saidan, the brainchild of Splatterpvnk, manages to weave such heavy themes into a sound that’s both scathing and ultra-melodic. It’s like listening to a storm—chaotic yet beautiful, destructive yet captivating. From my perspective, this duality is what sets Fangdriller apart. It’s not just another black metal album; it’s a narrative, a prequel to their previous work Visual Kill, that delves into the crippling exile of loneliness. And let me tell you, it’s a journey that feels both personal and universal.
One thing that immediately stands out is the album’s shift in tone compared to Visual Kill. While the latter was a wrath-wrought frenzy, Fangdriller leans into a more morose, wistful atmosphere. It’s like the band took a step back from the chaos to focus on the emotional undercurrents. What many people don’t realize is that this shift isn’t a step backward—it’s a deepening. The album’s emotional impact is sharper, more refined, and it’s this subtlety that makes it so compelling.
If you take a step back and think about it, originality in metal is a tricky beast. The genre is so saturated that standing out feels almost impossible. Yet, Saidan manages to carve out their own space, not by reinventing the wheel, but by infusing their music with a galvanizing vitality. This raises a deeper question: what does it mean to be original in a genre that’s decades old? In my opinion, it’s not about creating something entirely new, but about how you tell your story. And Saidan’s story is one of loneliness, manipulation, and the scars that come with both.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the album’s focus on compositional cohesion. Unlike Visual Kill, which was experimental and diverse, Fangdriller is all about mood and songwriting. Tracks like “Kara No Bara” and “Womb of Hatred” build tension with bombastic precision, only to release it in moments of transcendent beauty. What this really suggests is that Saidan understands the power of restraint. They’re not afraid to let the music breathe, to let the emotions simmer before they explode.
The quasi-title track, “Stained Glass Sin – Fang Driller,” is a masterclass in this approach. It starts slow, a maelstrom building in the distance, before culminating in a solo that feels like a revelation. But what’s truly impressive isn’t the individual components—it’s the sequencing, the way each moment flows into the next. This calculated approach maximizes the album’s impact, leaving the listener in a state of sonic subjugation.
What this album also highlights is the importance of production in storytelling. Splatterpvnk’s raw stylings are front and center, but every note remains delectably audible, even amidst the background fuzz and hiss. Sure, the bottom end is a tad thin, but it hardly matters when the songwriting is this strong. The final track, “Mortuary,” is a perfect example. Its melancholic guitar strumming and emo cleans serve as a satisfying denouement, tying the album back to Visual Kill in a way that feels both intentional and organic.
If you haven’t listened to Fangdriller yet, I urge you to do so—but not just as a passive listener. This is an album that rewards active engagement. Each spin reveals new layers, new treasures, and by the time “Mortuary” fades, you’ll find yourself reaching for the play button again. What many people don’t realize is that black metal, at its core, is about connection—even if it’s a connection born from shared pain. And in that sense, Fangdriller is a masterpiece.
In a genre often defined by its extremes, Saidan reminds us that sometimes the most powerful statements are the ones that slow down, that dig deep, and that dare to be vulnerable. Fangdriller isn’t just an album; it’s a testament to the enduring power of music to explore the darkest corners of the human experience. And for that, it’s an album that deserves to be heard.
Rating: Great!
Label: Avantgarde Music
Release Date: June 19th, 2026
Bandcamp: Saidan – Fangdriller
