Named for the fourth track from 2014s incredible “Memoria Vetusta III; Saturnian Poetry” album, Vindsvals latest spin-off from the Blut Aus Nord mothership sees him take the organic nature of the Memoria Vetusta trilogy forward, much in the same way that 2019s Yerûšelem drew heavily from the “777” series.
There are no song titles here, just a series of eight compositions identified in Roman numerical order. Starting with birdsong on “I”, rapid percussion soon intercedes, interspersed with layers of guitars and howling vocals. Aspects of second wave black metal are woven throughout the album, with subtle uplifting choirs with gothic-tinged synths provoking esoteric atmospherics, and furious high pitch tremolo guitars maintaining an aspect of urgency.
A hint of the infamous “racing cars” guitar tone from early BaN material is evident on the albums shortest track, “III”, whilst “IV” introduces itself with much bombastic aplomb before diving into a plodding, deliberate tempo augmented by the aforementioned synth and subtle choir. “VI” stands out with its spiralling riffs and intelligent drum fills underpinned by delicate synth and lead melodies, punctuated with a series of clever tempo changes. “VII” brings all of these elements together for a final hurrah, the relentless tempo unforgiving until about halfway through where it makes way for subtle melody and choral vocals, seeing us out to end on a hopeful note.
One could be forgiven for believing that Vindsval has now evolved to a point where he can push out such creations in his sleep. Forhist is cold and raw, yet a progressive and masterful addition to his oeuvre, thankfully devoid of the cod-avantgarde, dark discordant posturing that has become de-rigueur in some corners of modern black metal.
(8.5/10 Doogz)
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