Razumikhin was a character from Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment. The two-man project with the same name is a Black Metal band of sorts, and the album here has six tracks. “Pain for Breakfast” is first. The opening tones are almost jovial, before shadows rise and the song falls into darkness, with harsh vocals, and dissonant riffs. The conflicting passages continue from there…at times, almost playful, but it’s akin to playing in the sandbox with a creepy clown. “My Own Dr. Frankenstein” has a similar sound. The harmonies in the vocals, and the lead guitar line remind me of circus music, but the darker elements are equally as noteworthy.

“Treading on the Rattlesnake” is more traditional Black Metal, but the duo does keep things interesting with plenty of other elements. You have to fight against the notion that the harmony and melodies are real…because the deeper structure stains them with filth. “Testimony of a Bleeding Heart” has a heavier and more hardened backbone, but sprigs of melody still grow in the cracks. The instrumental flows back and forth through passages of fire and passages of rain, and the dichotomy is fascinating. “Gramophone Mind” has that perfect balance between night and day…between creepy harsh vocals and clean harmonies, and the tension is very thick.

“Lullaby for the Undead Insomniac” closes the album, and those old school organ keys in the beginning give it a different sound. The light is winning the battle here however. Overall, this was an interesting album to listen to. One might say that it lacked a clear vision, but I dismiss that and appreciate the band’s willingness to explore. Too many musicians just play it safe. What the duo did on “Self Made Monster” pulled Black Metal from the trenches and brought it to new heights.