Veldes - 'Skyward' EP (2014)

Veldes

'Skyward' (EP)

Razed Soul Productions

2014

Veldes is a slovenian atmospheric black metal band, founded in 2012 by Tilen Simon (Nephrolith). This project has released only one album so far. It's succesor is called 'Skyward', and it contains four new tracks.
To be honest I hadn't opportunity to listen to band's music. But the first contact with this EP was rather positive - the cover art reminded me Beksinski's works (or maybe it really is his picture?). I simply like such kind of graphics. I like also Drudkh and Wolves In The Throne Room, which defenitely inspired Veldes to compose and record. Unfortunately the music of this slovenian project is not very original. I failed to find here any element that would be surprising. The music is not bad though, especially in the slower parts - even if for most of the time it is a well-known combination: 'hypnotic, black metal riffs + some keyboard samples + typical black metal screaming manner'. Interesting though are moments in the second song 'Woe Eater', when a sound of Veldes turns more into music inspired by Solstafir from 'Svartir Sandar' album. Also ambient intro and outro is quite good - it might be great to hear more of such mixture of psychodelia and electronic stuff in the future. Those are defenitely the best fragments of this release.
From the other hand, the music has also a big flaw - I don't know how other reviewers see this, but in my opinion fast parts are annoying. I mean here especially cymbals and double foot percusion. Maybe it's a fault of bad production, but it seems to me that a drum machine replaces here a 'live' musician. And everyone knows how sound blast-beats made in computer programs - terrible!
The material is short, so I am also writing short review. Generally speaking, the content of this EP is not bad. Fans of aforementioned bands, as well as of atmospheric music in general should like 'Skyward'. I am affraid though that Veldes won't find many supporters outside those narrow circles. My advice for a future is as follows - try to more experiment in slower areas, especially with those psychedelic and ambient things. And defenitely change a sound of drums if you want to continue doing more extreme parts in the future. Now everything sounds OK, but as far as I hear it Tilen is capable to record something much better.

Rating: 6+/10
Vladyka

Listen to band's music here: 

Tracklist:

1. Skyward

2. Woe Eater

3. Of Rain And Mose

4. Gone

Total time: 26:35

Furia - 'W melancholii' (2013)

Furia

'W Melancholii'

Pagan Recs.

2013

'W melancholii' is the second EP released by Furia - a polish black metal horde, which like to experiment from time to time. This time Let The World Burn crew experiments even more than usual.
There are only two tracks here, but they're total playing time is almost 18 minutes - quite long. Both are also played in similar way. Everyone who was expecting a black metal inferno will be obviously disappointed. But from the other side - do you really expect any predictability from this band? But back to the topic - both tracks are very minimalistic and, let say, muted. The guitars play slowly psychodelic motifs, from time to time being accompanied by drums. Label 'experimantal' is quite on the spot in this case - all these guitar dissonances and noises in the background seems to only strengthen my point. The atmosphere is really amazing, especially when you are listenning to it in headphones, completely alone. The title means in polish 'In melancholy', and I think that it's very suitable - music is very calm, and indeed melancholic.
Beside normal metal instruments the music is also supported by some frugal electronic tunes, which make this release even more distant from the typical 'few accords and screaming' scheme. This a bit 'cosmic' sound is really breathtaking. Also the ending of both of the tracks is very unexpected. Especially the first one will surprise you hehe. From my side I would like to just add that this motif is simply amazing - it's propably my favourite part of this EP. Another proof that the guys are not affraid to do anything they want.
Well, and that's it - short release means short review. My conclusion is as follows: people buy this thing, 'cause it's worth you money and time.

Rate: 8/10
Vladyka

Listen to Furia's music here, from bandcamp.

Tracklist:

1. Z melancholika krew nie wypływa

2. Napuchną mną drzewa

Total time: 17:36

Massemord - 'A Life-Giving Power of Devastation'

Massemord

'A Life-Giving Power of Devastation'

Pagan Recs.

2013

 

 

 Massemord should be known to everybody who is interested in a polish black metal scene. The band is active since 2000 year, and recorded several materials. 'A Life-Giving...' is their fourth full-lenght album. To be honest I still don't know what I should think about their last record, and suddenly here we are another one. That's the most certain reason why I review it so late hehe.
But let's focus on music. Happily for me the album is not similar to the previous one. So we have here nine tracks lasting around five-six minutes. My first association was the second LP of Massemord - 'The Whore of Hate'. Songs are mostly ultra-furious, yet musicians always find time to go into more horrific areas. Sometimes the music can be reallu unhuman (or antihuman) - like in excellent 'We All Shall Die Miserable Death'. Extremely fast tempos are weaving with slower ones, Namtar is spitting out lyrics about fall of mankind and generally listener is put to the world of madness. Such disturbing, depressive atmosphere can inlfuence you very much.
Everything sounds as always very good - this crew is known for recording of at least good music. Yet I have a problem with this album. It lacks something, and I don't know what. This music sounds too similar to the other albums - many of similar guitar licks I heard in a bit other form on previous materials. There are of course some novelties - for example some riffs reminds me... Thrash metal. I would never suppose that this band is going to play something like that - yet it is true (listen to for example 'The Deity of Ferocity' or 'Trophy of Wasted Breath'). Luckily these are only some relishes, so Massemord still owns it's original style.
Don't get me wrong - the album is really good. Hate that is atacking listener through the music and lyrics makes me sure that 'A Life-Giving...' is recorded with authentic passion. If you, dear listener, don't know Massemord you will propably say that this album is fantastic. But if you already heard their other stuff, you will be not surprised. I am pleased though.

Rate: 8/10
Vladyka

P.S
As always there are some drum-beats in the vain of 'up-tss', 'up-tss' if you know what I mean (propably not hahaha). I am curious what Fenriz (who is critising it in every interview) would say about that ;)

Listen to band's music:

Tracklist:
1. A Devastation Giving Power of Life
2. The Deity of Ferocity
3. Towards Divine Anticlimax
4. Trophy of Wasted Breath
5. Piercing Ailing Heart of Humanity
6. We All Shall Die Miserable Death
7. A Horror To come
8. The Stoning Malignant
9. Water of Life
Total time: 48:58

Jarun - "Wziemiozstąpienie" (2012)

Jarun

"Wziemiozstąpienie"

[Self-released]

2012

Jarun is a polish black/folk/progressive band founded by Zagreus in 2008 in Nowy Sącz. "Wziemiozstąpienie" (try to say it fast, huh!) is their debut album. A very tasty debut album, I must admit. I've heard many good opinions about this young horde, but the music that their bring us pass all my expectations. But ab ovo.

The core of the whole music is here black metal. If the band wants they can create good aggressive riffs, like they purpose was destruction of everything (parts of the opening "Wziemiozstąpienie" or "Niech moje słowa będą ogniem"). But black metal represented by Jarun is for most of the time more atmospheric, with big usage of acoustic themes and calm, muted parts. Evey track is full of such parts, so that it is hard to count which one would be a good example of such kind of playing (maybe "Deszcz", with the sounds of raining in the background?). Generally speaking the music is very dynamic, it changes quite often from one mood to another so that it's hard to get bored with that. That's the merit of a bit progressive approach. In such moments prevails calmer parts, giving a good oportunity for bass player to show that his instrument can be used in very interesting way. Such kind of playing reminds me some of "atmospherical" bands, especially polish Furia. 

The last element which gives Jarun very unique, original character are folk references. I would say that if at the beginning this "folkish" attitude is a bit hidden behind progressive and purely pagan metal kind of playing, than since the track "Przebudzenie" it prevails. To be honest it sounds amazing when progressive parts (raised from classic rock!) mix with folk tunes and black metal vocals ("Powrót"). Of course this effect is achieved only with usage of riffing - there are no traditional instruments in Jarun's music.

I am bought. Really - the creativeness of this black-metallers is so fresh and non-trivial that it is a must-have for every fan of a bit progressive, atmospheric music as well as fans of pagan metal. And good music in general ;] And about rating - it is so high inter alia because it's only a debut! Personally I hope that their another material will be at least as great as "Wziemiozstąpienie", if not better.

Rate: 10/10

Vadyka

Music "video" to "Zamieć":

Tracklist:

1. Wziemiozstąpienie

2. Deszcz

3. Prawdy ulotne

4. Przebudzenie

5. Niech moje słowa będą ogniem

6. Powrót

7. Zamieć

8. I znowu zima...