Exercises in Futility (Mgła album)

Exercises in Futility is the third studio album by Polish black metal band Mgła. It was released on 4 September 2015, through Northern Heritage Records.^[1] Featuring "a raw, melodic black metal" style that was compared to those of Watain and early Burzum,^[2] the album is regarded as "the biggest and most impactful release of the band's 15-year career."^[3] The front cover features an artwork from French engraver Marcel Roux, titled L'aveugle ("The blind", 1908).^[4]

Exercises in Futility
Studio album by Mgła
Released	4 September 2015 (2015-09-04)
Genre	Black metal
Length	42:12
Label	Northern Heritage
Mgła chronology
With Hearts Toward None (2012) Exercises in Futility (2015) Age of Excuse (2019)

The band embarked a North American tour following the album's release.^[1]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Pitchfork	7.8/10[5]

Exercises in Futility was met with positive responses. Andy O'Connor of Pitchfork praised the album, stating, "Mgła are the true heirs to Dissection's style of black metal; the melodies are huge without dipping into the saccharine." O'Connor further stated: "Mgła's accomplished performance on Futility transforms the lyrical content into a call to action."^[5]

Exercise in Futility was listed as number 8 on Pitchfork's "The Best Metal Albums of 2015" list.^[2]

Track listing

1. "Exercises in Futility I" – 7:58
2. "Exercises in Futility II" – 7:48
3. "Exercises in Futility III" – 4:37
4. "Exercises in Futility IV" – 4:45
5. "Exercises in Futility V" – 8:15
6. "Exercises in Futility VI" – 8:49

Personnel

• Mikołaj "M." Żentara – guitar, bass, vocals, recording
• Maciej "Darkside" Kowalski – drums, recording