Band:	Volahn
Album:	Aq'Ab'Al
Style:	Black metal
Release date:	January 09, 2015
A review by:	X-Ray Rod

01. Najtir Ichik
02. Halhi K'ohba
03. Bonampak
04. Quetzalcoatl
05. Koyopa
06. Nawalik

The Black Twilight Circle? They are onto something. Something good. Something unique.

Say whatever you want about how elitist it is to form a group, I don't care. It ain't any worse than book clubs. This group of bands with many members working side by side, using similar influences both in concepts and music is actually pretty cool. The lack of information about them makes you enjoy the music exactly for what it is, unlike those guys from LLN who tried to pass shitty music with the help of cool midnight stories.

Enough about the collective. Let's look at one of the shining stars of this constellation. Volahn is one of the most energetic forms of black metal that have graced my ears in a while. It's the kind of music that makes me throw away my clothes, cover myself in mud and eat a still-beating heart. It's just so euphoric because the leads and solos are insane. I really can't stress that enough. When was the last time ANY black metal band made you use your air guitar? It's been too long! But that's exactly what Volahn does. These melodies have a psychedelic quality throughout the whole album that feels so fresh ever since the dissonance became the "be all and end all" of modern black metal (Yeah, we get it. Dissonance is weird and cool. You so smart).

Let's look at the album from a broader perspective: the songwriting is marvellous, and what's really interesting is the constant feeling of improvisation. You just don't know what lies around the next corner. The structures of the songs are loose enough to let go and enjoy the ride of psychedelic jams but also tight enough to be coherent works. Production-wise, this album has been layered nicely. The melodic leads and solos shine through while the galloping rhythm section is a bit behind, together with the vocals and subtle keyboards hidden around the album. The balance in harshness is perfect as everything (even the bass) are perfectly clear but it's still rough around the edges, which gives the music that bite and DIY attitude that makes it authentic.

Last but not least. I'm glad to see more bands embracing the culture and wonderful themes behind Mesoamerican civilizations. It really adds spice to an already genuine project together with the acoustic endings in some of the - Oh shit, "Quetzalcoatl" started again. Oh my goodness, oh my damn. The euphoria behind those leads, man! Sorry, guys. I just can't hold it back anymore.

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!! QUETZALCOAAAAAATL!!!!!!!!!