This is only a three-song EP, but it’s got some of the best tracks any lo-fi black metal fan could ask for. Short in playtime it is, but it is long on enchantment. Cult mystery is what A Pregnant Life is made of, so it is only fitting that his identity is mysterious. The only thing I can find on this guy is that his initials are DM. He’s also involved with several other Colloquial Sound projects, such as Bound Bible, Aksumite, and This Station of Life. No doubt, this guy’s musically-minded; always creating, always focused, always working. He gets street cred in my book just from so much activity.
However, despite its brevity, this little EP Live to Tell is absolutely aces! It’s definitely black metal, but I don’t picture this guy going all out with the makeup and the studded wristbands. His signature style is a little more romantic, fluid, and graceful. He definitely comes across as being thoughtful and a dreamer. At least that’s what his guitar epics communicate to me. I even get that from the layout and art of his releases. But, maybe that’s just me.
The three tracks are all unmistakably APL, but don’t each leave quite the same impression.  The first is “Panoramic Stroke,” a slow series of chordal introspections. They instrumentally cloud over your mind with feelings of gloom and contemplative preoccupation. The withdrawn pace and lucid amplifications make this one a track for quiet nights. The second is “Possession of Diamond,” the most obvious black metal track on this thing. It is much more aggressive in nature, shredding rapidly and only taking a breather to let out howling vocals of frustration and angst. Drums rapidly fire away also to add to the frenzied bestial tone. This one closes with a killer riff that rises victorious from the rubble. The third and last is “Live to Tell”, which features the female voices of Sigrid Sheie and Kris Force. There are pretty much three stand-out guitar moments to this track. It kicks off with an uplifting soar of notes that’s catchy as all get-out and returns with each transition. During most of the sung stanzas, it’s got a dirgy chug-a-chug of guitar complete with funeral type organ. Then, during the chorus it’s a bit more rockin’. If I were reading this right now I’d probably be rolling my eyes and thinking to myself that femme vocals are lame for this genre. Well, if you’re thinking like me, do yourself a favor give yourself a slap across your face. You see, nothing could be further from the truth. This track is beautifully stunning and qualitatively intelligent in both its composition and execution. I haven’t heard too many like it, but its own uniqueness adds to its gloriousness.
After getting my first taste of the delicious flavors that are APL and its tempting packaging and shelf mates at the label Colloquial Sound, I am insatiably hungry for more. I think I would agree with Hammer Smashed sound that CSR is “one of the best tape labels going right now.” With DM’s imagination and talent behind most of the projects that the label puts out and the attractive and alluring presentation of the releases, you’ll want to be sure to peruse their catalog. At their bigcartel store you can stream a sample from each release. I think I’m in love.
