Band:	Waning
Album:	Population Control
Style:	Progressive black metal
Release date:	December 2008

01. (Mensch)
02. Shades Of Grey
03. Left To Hate
04. Swarm
05. Population Control
06. Crowning Apathy
07. Further Down The Strain
08. Hollow

Waning is another band from the Eerie Arts Records roster, a label that has given us quite a few cool albums already. For example the split between Austere and Lyrinx, Common Grave's debut, Den Saakaldte's debut: all quality Black metal dwelling in varying subgenres. And with Waning, they have their cards perfectly laid out once again. But then again, with Swedish Black metal it hardly goes wrong.

"Population Control" is a hateful Black metal album, but not hateful in the sloppy, raw "total fucking chaos" way, but a precise, cold-blooded hand pointing a gun to your forehead. And without remorse or a split-second of doubt, that hand blasts the bullet through your head. That's how population control works.

As mentioned with Swedish Black metal it hardly ever goes wrong, unless you're looking for experimental music. "Population Control" is slightly more melodic than what we're used to, but in essence this is the typically the school of modern Swedish Black metal. Luckily, and this is probably something they've learnt from their experience in other bands, they do not stay in full blast-mode all the time. The mid-paced moments they threw in really increase the replay value. All of this is supported by the balanced, but not overly crystal clear production

That's really all you need to know and all that needs to be said. Fans of the bleak, yet muscular modern Swedish sound will dig this. A guitar sound as ink-black as Funeral Mist is renowned for, vocals with edges sharp as ice, an overall forceful pitch-black atmosphere, really, what more can you ask for? If you like your Black metal more melodic or symphonic, try before you buy as this may not exactly be your cup of tea. For the fans of previous mentioned characteristics, you will surely like this.