I kind of need consoling, after all it’s been a month since I last had any new Vardan material so I have been finding some solace in the black metal of a couple of other bands from his Italian countrymen. As far as Warnungstraum are concerned I really have hit the pay dirt too as my first introduction to this trio from Potenza has certainly been an enriching one. This is actually the group’s third album since 2011 and looking at these it would appear they have really expanded things on the composition front as here we have just four very lengthy tracks, two of them instrumentals. Warnunstraum’s approach to the art of blackness is an incredibly atmospheric and melodic one. In fact at times their music encroaches on the ambient side of things. This is an album that is much more inclined to have you mellowing out to it rather than battering you completely senseless, that’s for sure.
This is quickly established with the maudlin acoustic guitar and keyboard wafting sound on Antarahava. As the intro picks and other things join in attention is drawn straight to the gravid rasps of Cabal Dark Moon also of Obscure Devotion, which fit in perfectly with the fluid and very graceful instrumentation provided on the whole by Bartlett Green. Vocals are beseeching and tinged with sorrow rather than designed to rip the listener’s throat out, this definitely has a depressive edge to it and emotionally the vibe of regret and yearning strikes me. As said, the melodicism is really rich behind it all and it has an olden black metal of yore feel to it. There’s plenty of time on this 10 minute number for things to slow into an acoustic refrain before getting to its most urgent phase and momentarily barrelling along but on a whole it is quite subtle and restrained overall. The first of the epic instrumentals ‘The Gardens Of Yima’ is in a word gorgeous It seems like the intriguing title is from Greek mythology and with the dream laden flow of the soft dark ambient music you can close your eyes and imagine what such a place may look like. A shadowy and lonely place judging by things but one that is full of mystery. Musically there is a touch of old Vargy Pops about this but it’s certainly better textured than his recent sojourns into the neo-paleontological swamps. It does however really feel like the ghosts of the past are very much drifting through this and the repetitive melody is absolutely haunting. Of course that may not be what you are looking for in your black metal especially when along with the later instrumental it takes up half the album but as it expands and glistens away with a feel of both romanticism and even classicism about it I could not help fall somewhat in love with it, putting this on my review pile straight away.
Back with more substance is Narkissos but again there’s little in the way of urgency until it canters off and the vocals pick up with melody reminiscent a bit of the Gothic likes of Fields Of The Nephilm and very early Dimmu Borgir behind them. It’s the albums longest track at almost 12 minutes and there’s plenty to mesmerise within it and even if you get lost within its folds you are happy to do so and it’s a very comfortable place to find yourself in. A touch of frosty glockenspiel sounding tinkling ups the atmosphere even more and sends a shiver right down the spine. Sad piano music takes up last instrumental piece ‘The Sad Singing Woods,’ the title of which is totally descriptive. There’s a touch of folk behind it and it’s completely enchanting, delicate and full of richly dark poeticism which goes beyond any need for actual lyrical and vocal input.
I really enjoyed this album, no doubt you could tell that and have a feeling it’s going to get many more plays, it’s absolutely perfect for when the heads in a bit of a fragile state and is great for soothing away the excesses of the night before. Gaze into these waters at the following links.
(8/10 Pete Woods)
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