Promising different shades of grey from black to white, the Ukrainian composer and inspiration of Severoth brings us atmospheric black metal with long guitar and synth pieces in the vein of Paysage d’Hiver and Vinterriket. “Vsevit” (Universe) is this one- man band’s fifth album release.
There is the sound of magic bells in the air. A strange tubular sound accompanies it, but soon there is an eruption, and magic is replaced by heightening menace. “Вище Неба” (Far Above The Sky) lives up to its name, and has an ethereal as well as epic quality. Fire, melancholy and despair all feature in the mix but I can’t in all honesty say that this evoked in me new or commanding visions. “Ненаписані Листи” (Unwritten Letters) imposes itself upon us and does evoke menace and danger as it marches along stridently. At one point it transforms into a black metal hymn. It rises to a crescendo over its 11 minutes of heavy intensity – impressive. Morbid splendour takes over with “Порожнеча” (Emptiness) doing justice to its title, as “Вище Неба” did before it. The lyrics are from a 20th century Ukrainian poet, and are expressed in an anguished pattern as befits the black metal genre, but even if they had been in English, I’m sure I would have still taken away the majestic moods and at times funereal pomp which dominate much of this album. A quieter, reflective passage is just what was needed, as “Порожнеча” patiently treads its bleak course. Stylistically its aura and ring remind me of some of the earlier folk-inspired Norwegian black metal. “Срібні Зорі Весни “(Silver Dawns Of Spring) changes to a more frenetic tack, and is typically grandiose and intense. I’m not sure that “Холодна Ніч Чужих Облич” (Coldness Of Sad Eyes) could be labelled as the grand finale as each of these pieces is a weighty 10 minute plus monster of enormity. To begin, the weight hangs over us and a choir sings solemnly. The electric background is reminiscent of Burzum. Anguish and despair get wrapped up in the enveloping gloom. It’s like a permanently grey day – atmospheric to a point, but it’s like being rooted to the spot for 11 minutes.
These five gargantuan pieces are a collection of dark thoughts. “Vsevit” is a world of dark expanse, overwhelming in its weighty impact but for me lacking a point of reference and at times overstating its case. It is nevertheless a monumental composition.
(7/10 Andrew Doherty)
Leave a Reply