Space, science fiction, the farthest realms of all speculation and idea of the future; the most weird and wonderful ideas of the future and survival of the known universe. Those, among many other topics of creativity have been present in metal since its inception, and however much the boundaries of extremity and progression evolve; black, death and other extremist genres bear their takes on the most amazing stretches of the imagination.
If you’re familiar with the evolution of the black metal canon, you most likely have hear of Cosmic Black Metal – atmospheric ambience covering stories of space and cosmological adventure. But, with the ever changing face of the international black metal map, Science Fiction Black Metal is a recent emergence led by two major forces: Imperialist from the USA and Vorga of Germany. The latter of whom are now back with their sophomore release: Beyond the Palest Star.
Following in from the success of their 2022 studio debut: Striving Toward Oblivion, the first thing you notice from this band, composed of veterans of the German and Bulgarian black metal scenes, is how they pull no punches in taking you on a dangerous and adventure filled trip into another world and beyond.
In comparison to their last release, Vorga have stripped their instrumentation down to appear a tad more primitive, but that does not rob this album from creating the atmosphere and audible wonderment that sets black metal aside from other genres, particularly when exploring lyrical themes like this.
We start by flying into a vision of space and a nebula of imagination with opening track “Voideath” and second song “The Sophist” personifies a meteor shower through its avalanche style drumming. Soon things slow a tad and the ambience unique to the Sci-Fi Black Metal sound takes over and you get a sense of what it must be like to pilot a star ship in an intergalactic conflict and then be marooned on a desert planet in decaying orbit.
“Tragic Humanity” and “Fractural Cascade” made me think of the ever-present ideas and anxieties about the future of life, the universe and everything, therefore I’d recommend this album to science and space academics as well as science fiction buffs as these guys certainly did their homework in making songs about space something to entertain the most academic of minds.
In all, a piece worthy of the highest ranks in one’s album of the year list and one to be added to the collection of any metal head who is fascinated or concerned about science, space, the future, philosophies of the unknown, or those who live for an adventure beyond the stars.
Vorga are Germany’s leading project in black metal’s journey to the stars.
(9/10 Demitri Levantis)
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