Today we share our impression after listening to the new album of dystopian black metal band from London – Unmother. Release date of “State Dependent Memory” is February 20, 2026. The album will be released on vinyl and cassette by Fiadh Productions.
It’s hard to find another genre of heavy music that can convey all the subtleties of human emotions in such diverse colors and sounds as black metal does. Despite the style’s scandalous history, the high-profile events surrounding black metal bands, and the public’s desire to suppress and stigmatize this style, today we have one of the most beautiful, diverse and atmospheric genres of music.
Of course, it’s difficult for an unprepared listener to immediately see the beauty and range of emotions that can be experienced while listening to black metal. It’s either love or hate, but certainly not indifference.
We weren’t left indifferent after listening to Unmother’s new album “State Dependent Memory”.
The guys from Unmother decided to dig deeper into their music by complicating the sound of the usual black metal. The band itself describes its sound as combination of post-experimental elements with traditional black metal. Songs’ themes focus on dark urban motifs. We can see confirmation of this on the cover of the album “State Dependent Memory” – endless blocks of multi-story buildings and barely noticeable human faces.
Unmother actively positions itself against any racist, sexist or fascist ideologies. Their songs can be heard on the Antifascist Black Metal compilation.
“My Armor” is the first single and the album’s title track. It’s an active and strong start, and the new vocalist V only enhances the effect. It’s like walking through an abandoned high-rise building, filled with echoes of memories and worries.
“Bear Hug” and “Modern Dystopia” are amazingly ambient, memorable, melodic, and imbued with Unmother’s signature atmosphere. Unmother’s sound here trades traditional black metal’s frosty mysticism for something melodic and more existential. This music is built both around melody and atmosphere, where tension and release are psychological as much as musical.
“Attiki Victoria” is the ΟΔΟΣ 55 cover and for some it may serve as a nostalgic find, for others a fresh look at an old song. Unmother demonstrate a restless creative ambition that refuses to stay confined within any single style.
And now we come to the semantic denouement of the entire album – the song of the same name, “State Dependent Memory”. Here it becomes clear that the band is ready to experiment without losing the fundamental core of black metal.
The experimental passages don’t dilute the aggression, they enforce it. Moments of near-silence or ambient sound make the subsequent eruptions of blast-driven chaos feel even more emotional.
“Magda” is the last song on the album. An instrumental that brings us to the end of this emotional and slightly hypnotic journey.
“State Dependent Memory” album is incredibly easy to listen to, in one breath. But in its layered textures, urban bleakness, and uncompromising intensity, Unmother carve out a space that feels both contemporary and deeply rooted in black metal’s core spirit.
Tracklist-State Dependent Memory:
1. My Armor
2. Bear Hug
3. Modern Dystopia
4. Attiki Victoria (ΟΔΟΣ 55 cover)
5. State Dependent Memory
6. Magda
On their Instagram, the band announced that all proceeds from the album would go to aid the Palestinian people. Such a strong and unshakable position deserves special attention and respect.
Δείτε αυτή τη δημοσίευση στο Instagram.
We’re currently witnessing a complete duality between intentions and actions in show business. Some claim that music, sports, and art in general are apolitical and continue to make money, while others choose to remain silent and stand aside. But we don’t live in a vacuum; actions or inactions will impact everyone’s quality of life one way or another. Therefore, there are those who choose to be heard and aren’t afraid to express their position. This is a complex and controversial topic, but it’s gratifying to see the metal community standing strong in the defense of truth and justice.
To sum it up, we would like to point out that the “State Dependent Memory” album by Unmother stands as a bold statement in experimental post-black metal: uncompromising, politically conscious, and sonically fearless.
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/unmother_blackmetal/
Bandcamp:
https://unmother.bandcamp.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/unmother.london
