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**Liturgy - H.A.Q.Q.**
★★★★☆

Hunter Hunt-Hendrix has never been one to shy away from controversy, and with H.A.Q.Q., the Liturgy mastermind continues their relentless pursuit of transcendental black metal that sounds like it was beamed down from some dystopian future cathedral. Following the polarising reception of 2019's Origin of the Alimonies – an ambitious but bewildering foray into orchestral arrangements and operatic vocals – Hunt-Hendrix has returned with something altogether more focused, yet no less challenging.

The origins of H.A.Q.Q. can be traced back to Hunt-Hendrix's ongoing obsession with what they term "transcendental black metal," a philosophy that seeks to strip the genre of its nihilistic tendencies and replace them with something approaching spiritual enlightenment. It's a concept that has earned them equal measures of praise and derision from the notoriously gatekeeping black metal community, but one that has undeniably pushed the boundaries of what extreme music can achieve.

Musically, H.A.Q.Q. finds Liturgy operating in familiar territory – tremolo-picked guitars cascade like digital waterfalls while blast beats pummel with metronomic precision. Yet there's something distinctly more refined about this approach, as if the band has finally learned to harness their chaotic energy without sacrificing its essential wildness. The production, handled by Seth Manchester, gives everything a crystalline clarity that allows each element to breathe while maintaining the crushing intensity that makes black metal so viscerally affecting.

The album opens with "HAJJ," a seven-minute statement of intent that builds from ambient drones into a full-scale assault of tremolo guitars and Hunt-Hendrix's distinctive shriek. It's immediately apparent that this is Liturgy operating at peak efficiency – the compositions feel more cohesive than previous efforts, with each section flowing naturally into the next rather than feeling like disparate ideas forced together through sheer willpower.

"Glory Bronze" emerges as perhaps the album's most accessible moment, featuring a hypnotic central riff that wouldn't sound out of place on a Deafheaven record, albeit one processed through Liturgy's distinctly cerebral filter. The way Hunt-Hendrix layers melodic fragments over the rhythmic foundation creates something approaching euphoria – a rare emotion in black metal circles.

The title track "H.A.Q.Q." serves as the album's emotional centrepiece, a sprawling nine-minute odyssey that showcases the full range of Liturgy's sonic palette. From whispered incantations to full-throated screams, from delicate arpeggios to crushing walls of sound, it's a masterclass in dynamic songwriting that proves Hunt-Hendrix's compositional skills have evolved considerably since their early days of pure sonic terrorism.

"Antigone II" provides another highlight, its intricate guitar work recalling the mathematical precision of Gorguts while maintaining Liturgy's signature sense of spiritual yearning. The interplay between guitarists Mario Miron and Leo Didkovsky creates a dense tapestry of sound that rewards repeated listening, with new details emerging from the chaos on each encounter.

Perhaps most impressively, H.A.Q.Q. manages to feel cohesive despite its experimental tendencies. Where previous Liturgy albums sometimes felt like collections of interesting ideas rather than unified statements, this feels like a proper album – something designed to be experienced as a complete work rather than cherry-picked for individual tracks.

The current status of Liturgy remains as divisive as ever, with Hunt-Hendrix continuing to court controversy through their theoretical writings and uncompromising artistic vision. Yet H.A.Q.Q. feels like something of a vindication – proof that their approach to black metal, however unconventional, can produce genuinely powerful music.

In terms of legacy, H.A.Q.Q. is likely to be remembered as the moment when Liturgy finally delivered on their considerable promise. While their influence on the broader black metal scene remains to be seen, there's no denying that Hunt-Hendrix has created something unique here – a work that honours the genre's traditions while pointing toward possible futures.

H.A.Q.Q. won't convert the sceptics, but for those willing to engage with Liturgy's singular vision, it offers rewards in abundance. This is extreme music for the thinking person, black metal that dares to ask big questions about spirituality, transcendence