I have been looking forward to this it should be said. I’m a fan of the band, love their intense live performances and they are interesting people to boot. Consisting of Shayan (vocals, guitar and also a fascinating esoteric podcast called Iblis Manifestations), M Croton (drums) and Sully (bass, backing vocals) they always seem to be gigging. Their last released song ‘Into The Void’ was a real step on in their sound with less of the death metal edge that their 2016 debut Sin had, and a much stronger black metal sound with a new sense of melody and prog tinged arrangements. In short, experience and travel has allowed their already fine sound to mature.
Opening track I have no idea of the title or lyrics I’m afraid as it is in Arabic script (both Sully and Shayan left Syria and Iran as writing black metal wasn’t entirely healthy there). It is a slow, atmospheric intro woven from of organ sounds, half heard words and choral vocals. A mood setter indeed.
‘The Serpent’s Gaze’ begins with a steady, choppy riff before spreading its wings into a melodic sound. The vocals are spot on – intense, varied and full of aggressive intent. It flows well for its nine minutes, moving from aggression to atmosphere in a manner that might please Dissection fans and a subtlety that pleases me immensely.
‘Into The Void – The Divine Unity’ creeps in on a slow winding guitar sound and builds through vocals sunk deep in the music to and almost Celtic Frost shirt barked vocal passage. The tempo changes and passages are again excellent and the feeling of travelling into the unknown really grips me. With a moment of quiet respite the song eventually blazes forth before softly leaving us to our meditation.
With a new album due out next year this EP is looking like an excellent signpost to the future of Trivax and a fine release by itself. Amongst the rage and malevolence there is deep intelligence here and an esoteric grace that not many possess.
Invest, people. This is a good one.
(8/10 Gizmo)
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