Blimey, where to start with this one? Well if the idea of 71-minutes of melancholic music from Birmingham fills you with all the fear of being stuck on an endless circuit around Spaghetti Junction, I can’t say I blame you. Misery does however love company and immersion into the strange and beguiling world of Swords Of Dis is one that will ultimately richly reward. This is the second album from Richard and Alice Corvinus and the first encounter by me. Following on from ten-year-old debut ‘Tales Of Malediction’ and a more recent EP it has been picked up by the ever adventurous Italian label I, Voidhanger and it is certainly a worthy and epic addition to their roster.
All music is provided by Richard along with backing chants and additional aggressive vocals. The rest of the latter handled by Alice who has an incredibly varied range of styles. Musically there are bits of everything from doom with gothic overtones, orthodox black metal, neo-classical and even a touch of chamber music within its myriad folds. Naturally it has a complex narrative, namely being described as an “act of devotion to Our Lady of the Naked Flame.” Mysticism, magic, alchemy, feminine empowerment, chaos, judgement, beauty and darkness are all themes to be meted out. Added to this lyrically things are profound and poetic and looking at them are delivered in English, Latin and Hebrew. If we went into these in detail, we would be here all week.
At the chanted intro and strings of opener ‘Orison’ a richness is quickly evident. First impression reminds of Jarboe but that is possibly a lazy comparison as things expand and crackle into the flames of ‘Mask Of The Myriad’ which goes hand-in-hand with the fantastic Albrecht Durer inspired cover art by David Glomba. There’s witchery and soulfulness from Alice who serves as guiding light over a mid-paced musical weave. The black metal side of things crops up occasionally with salvos of blast-beats and there are feelings of arcane magic and higher learning seeping through the cracks and crevices. The Devil’s Blood are named as a band that this may appeal to fans of and as familiarity is gained on repeated listens I can hear that. So too perhaps Oceans Of Slumber due to the stylistic variations, mood and energy of the vocals. When not versing words Alice unveils some fantastic chants that move from sublime to downright spine chilling. Along with the sombre melody of ‘Sea Of Storms’ they send knives of ice down the spine. Richard’s growls are also excellent and the contrast between the singers works brilliantly. There’s also some moments of haunting acoustic guitar-work found, as at the start of the title track but these can change almost instantaneously into harsher realms. You should go into this expecting the unexpected, it really is a work of fathomless mystery which makes a step-by-step dissection of the album somewhat impossibly convoluted.
The main thing is that despite the length the album never leaves you wishing it would finish and boredom will be the last thing on your mind here. We stomp from heavy brooding vigour and soaring vocals on ‘Oculus Diaboli’ to the more fragrant and shimmering diaphanous touch of companion ‘Oculus Dei,’ a yin and yang contrast. Then later there’s the album’s lengthiest number the 10-minute לויתן, the title of which is assured to have you seeking answers and lead into the wondrous oceanic depths and the fantastic creatures dwelling within.
Like the deep depths themselves I have but touched the surface here and admit that this is no album for those with short-attention spans. For those looking for something to consume their time and provide a spirit of adventure though, ‘Melencolia’ comes highly recommended.
(8.5/10 Pete Woods)
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