Xasthur – Open to Misinterpretation (Prophecy Productions, 2026)
American musician Scott Conner continues to expand the musical direction of Xasthur with Open to Misinterpretation,a reflection of his acceptance of artistic ambiguity and his refusal to conform to established genre conventions.
The album’s title echoes a philosophical idea associated with French writer and Nobel Prize laureate Albert Camus: the acceptance of life’s inherent absurdity. For Conner, whose music frequently explores the darker aspects of American society, this perspective extends to the interpretation of his work. In doing so he accepts that listeners may understand his compositions differently.
Musically, Open to Misinterpretation develops Xasthur’s established approach through more intricate arrangements, unpredictable compositions, and an expanded instrumental development. The bass assumes a more prominent and technically demanding role, while alternate guitar tunings introduce additional harmonic possibilities. Drum programming also contributes more directly to the compositions’ structure.
Several compositions benefited from live performances during Xasthur’s tours in North America and Europe. Those concerts provided opportunities to refine the material and incorporate elements influenced by audience reactions.
Conner founded Xasthur in California in 1995, initially influenced by the harsh aesthetics of Scandinavian black metal. Over the following years, the project developed a distinctive depressive black metal style through ten albums, split releases, EPs, and demos, eventually establishing a significant presence within the underground metal scene.
In 2010, Conner discontinued Xasthur and subsequently pursued acoustic dark folk under the name Nocturnal Poisoning. He revived the Xasthur name in 2015 but initially maintained his decision to abandon black metal. However, Inevitably Dark (2023) reintroduced selected elements of the genre, which allowed him greater freedom to combine acoustic and extreme metal influences.
Open to Misinterpretation continues that evolution with more elaborate arrangements, greater instrumental variety, and a clearer production approach. Despite these developments, Conner retains the unconventional compositional methods and uncompromising artistic independence that have characterized Xasthur throughout its history.
Conner performed the 12-string and 6-string guitars and programmed the drum machine. He recorded the album live on a Tascam DP-03 at various locations in the United States. Łukasz Jaszak handled the artwork treatment and layout.
Track list
- Running from Silence
- Put You Out of Your Misery
- Mantras of Delusion
- Impersonating the Impostors
- Nothing in the Dark
- Waste of Eternity
- Prisoner of Your Past
- Strategic Incompetence
- Death Can Heal