By:
Ernesto Aguilar
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 13/10/2017
Label: Argonauta Records (CD) |
Magic
Bullet Records (DD) |
DHU
Records (LP)
Like
the morning star it praises, Ancient VVisdom is more deceptive than you
realize. It heralds that section of the genre that is far darker than even the
loudest bands while doing a style you don't recognize is nearly this cursed.
"33" is going to live on for quite some time.
“33” CD//DD//LP track listing
1.
Ascending Eternally
2.
Light of Lucifer
3.
In the Name of Satan
4.
True Will
5.
The Infernal One
6.
Summoning Eternal Light
7.
Rise Fallen Angel
8.
33
9.
The Great Beast
10.
Lux
11.
Dispelling Darkness
The Review:
Metal
music has since its dawn been preoccupied with the visage of Beelzebub. Whether
it was Ozzy Osbourne conjuring the
idea of Satan's love in "N.I.B."
or mainstream heavy rock like Ghost calling out to
the "old one, master," Satan has been that ultimate taboo in music.
For metal, the Devil has also been the totem of rejecting all convention. And
though there have been many incursions into popular culture, it would seem
metal music's fixation with the sinister and demons may always be part.
So
when a recording comes across that embodies some of that dark spirit, it almost
feels like splitting hairs to argue how it qualifies as metal. In Ancient VVisdom's case, it indubitably does.
The
Austin-based trio formed in 2009 and have three releases – 2011's "A Godlike Inferno”, 2013's "Deathlike" and 2014's "Sacrificial" – as well as a rather
infamous 2010 split disc with incarcerated mass murderer Charles Manson
on their resume. Its first full length in three years, "33," is alternately inspired by a
variety of meanings for the number, including the birth year that Jesus Christ
was crucified. The horrific vibe never quite goes away from there.
If
you have not heard the group prior, Ancient VVisdom is
metal in the first-wave death rock or the folkloric styles you may recall rose
to prominence in metal in the early 2000s. "33" is thus largely rooted in acoustic music, without drum and
sparing electric guitar. The focus of Ancient VVisdom is Nathan
Opposition, vocalist and songwriter. He's crucial, because Ancient VVisdom
is nothing if not a lyrical act whose songs and stories are its reason for
being.
To
be clear, Ancient VVisdom has magnificent
instrumentation. Whether it is the guitar, synths or hints of percussion, the
minimal nature of "33"
means all of it has to count even more than the average band. However, Ancient VVisdom's Satanic verses drive the music for the
most part. Indeed Nathan Opposition's vocals set up much of the art that is
here. "Ascending Eternally"
opens like a hymn, while "Light of
Lucifer" begins the release smoothly out of that hymn into a chord
that you might hear around the fire at a church's summer camp. However, this is
no revival.
Songs
like "Summoning Eternal Light"
and "The Great Beast"
musically deliver the crunch you might more expect from metal, whereas "Rise Fallen Angel" is Ancient VVisdom's closest foray into heavy rock. These selections
and a handful of others are not ultraviolent songs. They're musically savvy,
but as with other cuts, the imagery of the occult, Lucifer and the great
unknown are the true canvas.
Like
the morning star it praises, Ancient VVisdom is more
deceptive than you realize. It heralds that section of the genre that is far
darker than even the loudest bands while doing a style you don't recognize is
nearly this cursed. "33" is going to live on for quite some time.
