Featuring members of the short-lived but much vaunted Alchemyst, Thuringian outfit Vivus Humare formed way back in 2007 but it is only now, nearly eight years later, that they present a full-length recording to the world courtesy of the ever-reliable Eisenwald stable. Given that label’s reputation for releasing quality black metal shot through with a palpable sense of reflective melody, expectations for ‘Einkehr’ are high and thankfully, the band do not disappoint. Three lengthy ten minute-odd songs make up the backbone of the album, exploring a range of textures but nonetheless remaining anchored to the band’s core sound.
And it’s a pleasing sound for sure. Vivus Humare play black metal firmly rooted in the traditional tropes of the second wave – treble-heavy, overly-distorted guitars, echo-laden, agonized shrieks and clattering drums – but there is an intelligence at work in both the composition and dynamics that defies the atavism of their approach. ‘Der Schmerz Weckt’ is a bold opener, delivering spidery, slithering riffs decorated with eerie clean motifs that sound as if they were recorded at the bottom of a well. There’s a real sense of atmosphere here, aided in no small part but the spacious, airy production that drapes reverb across proceedings like some sort of funereal shroud, particularly across the track’s final, slow-paced minutes.
I hesitate to use the word ‘progressive’ as it is so overdone these days but there’s certainly a touch of that here also. ‘Auf Morgendilchen Pfaden’ commences with a passage of melodic, Agalloch-influenced ‘post’ black metal before launching into some classic 90s style fury reminiscent of Ulver’s ‘Bergatt’ or Nokturnal Mortem’s ‘Nechrist’ before deftly deploying some chiming, reflective clean strumming. It’s an effective balance, the song maintained throughout its thirteen minute duration by a cohesive sense of melancholy. Some subtle vocal choirs that underpin proceedings add to the ambience.
Closer ‘Traum’ follows a similar path, though with perhaps a touch more viciousness, though the wistful, decelerating finale is oddly muted. It’s not the most remarkable track here but even so, it continues to demonstrate that Vivus Humare have plenty of ideas bubbling away. ‘Einkehr’ – whilst perhaps being a touch rough around the edges – is an engaging release for sure, one in which melody, atmosphere and texture are clearly king but also one in which aggression has not been sacrificed. Well worth seeking out and it would be very interesting to see where these chaps head next.
(7.5/10 Frank Allain)
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