Volahn - Aq'Ab'Al - review
Volahn - Aq'Ab'Al - review
Tracklist
01. Najtir Ichik02. Halhi K'ohba
03. Bonampak
04. Quetzalcoatl
05. Koyopa
06. Nawalik
A review by
X-Ray Rod February 18, 2015
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!!!!!!!!!
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 9 |
| Originality: | 9 |
| Production: | 9 |
Rating:
7.8
7.8
|
Rating:
7.8 |
It was the excited conversation in Metal Storm's very own shoutbox along with Mr. Doctor's enthusiastic review that brought me to this album. I must say, my initial impression was strong. I have been less than impressed by a lot of recent black metal I have heard, and I am especially wary of any from my own homeland of America. Yet Volahn managed to pique my interest enough to warrant closer inspection. Read more ›› |
Comments
Comments:
9
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 Posts: 3099 |
Posts: 3099
Sounds like this'll be my kind of black metal; melody and a psychedelic quality being key points of interest for me from your words on this, not to mention the cool theme and artwork. Checking this out.
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Posts: 149  |
Posts: 149
Thanks for the review. It just got me even more excited about this scene. The Black Twilight Circle is the best thing that happened to black metal in a very long time. Volahn, Muknal, Arizmenda and Odz Manouk are all brilliant. Btw, does anyone know anything about the latest Arizmenda? Is it out finally?
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Posts: 11972
I think I might like this 
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Posts: 319
Thanks for the review man  Quote: You nailed it, this feeling makes it truly unique for me. Even if I know every single note of it by heart now, after so many spins, I am still amazed by its hectic yet delightful progression. I hope your review will lead others to discover which IMO is already a serious contender for BM album of 2015 
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Posts: 5989
Thanks for the review, I think I saw this first on Joe's list, but your praise of it makes me want to check it out even more now. Sounds pretty unique, any other bands you think you could compare it to?
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Posts: 4367
I've heard this on bandcamp several weeks back. A very strong album and based on the two tracks I've heard from Arizmenda's Stillbirth.. record, I prefer this to that. This is just better.
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| Lit.
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Thank you all for the comments! Written by Auntie Sahar on 19.02.2015 at 13:38 I think the clossest I could compare it to it would be other bands from the Black Twillight Circle, specially Arizmenda (first album). Written by Ras on 20.02.2015 at 14:14 Thank you man! Glad that your patience payed off. The sound is indeed a bit of a schock at first but then you really get into it.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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