UNDERDARK is a UK based Post-Black Metal band formed in 2015. “Managed Decline” is their sophomore full-length release, and has seven songs. “The Past we Inherit, the Future we Build (28th February 1972)” is first. It’s a very short low brass into that has somber, but charming tones, and does not prepare you well for what follows. “Managed Decline I (1st April 1988)” begins with a dreadful and plodding guitar riff. The anger and chaos that follows is almost too much to bear, and is akin to the ravings of a lunatic old man. It settles down a bit from there, as the old man tires from the voices in his head, but returns with renewed vigor to completion.

“Employment (16th June 1993)” follows the next chapter in one’s life. The structure is a little tighter and easier to follow, although the tones are still quite aggressive, especially in the vocals. They paint a very bleak picture of life in general. The anger is amped up in the mid-section but the more palatable tones return. If “Matrimony (27th December 1997)” is as bleak and meaningless as it sounds, we should all run for cover. The vocals vary at times from heightened screams to desperate gutturals, but either way, there is no escape from the deep greys that they band throws your way. In an about face however, the ending tones shine a little light into your world.

“Raised for a World that no Longer Exists” is another short and charming song that has a nice little melody. Perhaps these competing songs reflect some of the seasons in someone’s life…sometimes bad, sometimes downright unbearable, while other times, happy. “Enterprise (1st November 2004)” is another lion roaring with hunger, and the gutturals are deadly. The structure moves from near-chaos to controlled, powerful riffs that could cut through the side of a mountain like blasting charge. Again, just a little melody comes through at the end, giving you just enough energy to hold on to something that is rapidly fading. “Managed Decline II (2nd November 2004)” is the final track. It’s like a fight for your life. All around you things are crashing but you hold on…to that single value that defines your character and you are not letting go.

When I consider the phrase, “managed decline,” for me it sounds like someone legitimately trying his all to manage things while his life, and the world, spiral more and more out of control. When do we give up and pack in it? How much misfortune can one person take before cracking? The answers of course vary from person to person. But I think we can all relate to this darker side of life…the things you can see but leave…people hurting others but you ignore. When you consider the amount of negativity that is out there it’s almost too much. Instead, you rise in the morning, pack your lunch, go to work, and worry about yourself.