The Unrelenting Alchemy of None's Apocalyptic Sound
Wyman Choy Photography
A fusion of aggressive physical prowess, black metal and dark ambience, None ignites a journey into the soul. Nicholas Mendiola began “The True None” as a solo project and moved on to feature a cast of guest musicians; C.G Bloodcrown and S.K.B of the Occult Rock band Thangorodrim, Patrick Corona (Rivers Of Nihil, Cyborg Octopus) John Bradford Schuler (Crepuscle, Warscythe), and finally, Nathan Nunes (Fiends At Feast, Dead War) and Adam Anthony Ordonez (Malefic Levitation, Centerpath).
The music is pure and uncorrupted, standing apart from influences that tend to build the sound of most bands. This is an undertaking into an exploration of something very personal and emotional; it’s unlike any black metal you’ve ever heard. Mendiola means to surpass genre grouping with this project, and he’s succeeded. He has christened his sound “The Dark Gospel”. In his own words:
"The Dark Gospel is music that transcends all boundaries of genre and sub-categories of an existing identification. The Dark Gospel is and was named for being spiritual art; alchemical, true - not borderline, but a vow and a deep plunge into the religious nature of the art. The Dark Gospel is for those who seek the divine and mystic source energy, an eternal truth that is ourselves - and God; being that God is both internal and external. For those who are capable of producing this higher form of art; your Dark Gospel will likely be nothing like mine in terms of musical approach. The True Dark Gospel is the highest form of art; the one that you believe in. The Dark Gospel is your very existence - behind closed doors, where no one else can see, and in every breath you take. Your life is for The Dark Gospel - however violent, or beautiful.. it is NEVER just music. You must be relentless in your pursuit for greatness. Enlightenment is fleeting, and you must die while on the path."
None just released a six track EP titled Alive In San Jose, available on streaming platforms. It’s a sonic experience that pushes and pulls between aggression, hypnotic drifts, and some very profound lyrics. Mendiola has managed to strip away industry fluff and create sheer art with this one.
Take a listen to it here:
Tracklist:
1. Stories (8:58)
2. Desrt Skyline (5:08)
3. Absolute Devotion (9:42)
4. The Catalyst of the Constant Flow (3:22)
5. Dusk Skies Over Dreaming Forests (6:36)
6. Never Know (7:26)
Bandcamp: https://none.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nonedarkfolk
