Metal for the strong

It takes a certain kind of strong-willed, metal-loving person to appreciate the artistry in Fauna’s second album, “The Hunt.” Now, newly remastered and packaged, the album is ready to accost the unknowing masses.

Black metal, the genre Fauna is known for, is largely instrumental. The songs in the album mesh together without the break of lyrics, and the whole collection serves as a background ambiance that you don’t necessarily know is there until you find yourself noticing the darkest aspects of human nature. 

Songs such as “The Scent” and “Tracking” are untraditional in that they create dark musical landscapes that penetrate the soul. The band’s synthesized chords manifest rolling hills that resonate off the sparsely present drumbeats.

That said, “The Hunt” is not an album for all occasions. Do not blast it the next time you want to get people onto the party dance floor. If anything, “The Hunt” should be listened to alone. The album is ultimately an anthem for the individual — songs for exploring personal identity.