On “Exercises in Futility” and my path to Nihilism
The album Exercises in Futility by Mgla was my introduction to nihilism. The album explores the cynical nature of humanity from a nihilist perspective and critiques the society.
The vain endeavour of philanthropy
The album art creates a strong first impression, showing a blind man extending his arm out with an expression of despair. The artwork is by French artist Michael Roux, titled “L’aveugle” (The Blind). Mgla was heavily inspired by the philosophy of Emil Cioran, especially the alignment of one of his quotes with “L’aveugle”.
A blind man, authentically blind for once, held out his hand: in his posture, his rigidity, there was something that caught you, that made you hold your breath. He was handing you his blindness.
— Emil Cioran, from “The Trouble with Being Born”
Mgla draws clear inspiration from this quote right in the first track.
There’s something about the rigid posture of a proper, authentic blind. As if extended arms reached to pass his blindness onto others.
— Mgla, in Exercises in Futility I
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