April 30, 2010 8pm
Cafe Bourbon Street
2216 Summit St.
(614) 268-9377
$5 adv
ages 18+ - Under 21 pays $2 surcharge
Velnias
http://www.myspace.com/velniascult
“Sovereign Nocturnal” consists of three epic nature-inspired tracks of Pagan / Down-tempo / Folky Black Metal. Although this looks like an EP (and is also priced as an EP), it is actually more like a full length album as the tracks are such lengthy compositions. However, it is easy to see why the tracks had to reach such proportions of length. The emphasis here is most certainly on gradually building towards Post-Rock / Post-Metal style crescendos whilst also creating a sombre and majestic atmosphere. The subtle development of the shadowy atmosphere here is something that certainly can’t be achieved through break-neck speeds or crudely thrown together melodies.
VELNIAS use mature song-writing techniques (border-lining on progressive), making use of many moody acoustic passages and slow, sorrowful riffs that gradually build and shift throughout each track. Although it is possible VELNIAS may appeal to those who follow bands such as ENSLAVED, DRUDKH, AGALLOCH, OPETH, and suchlike, the formation of the songs on offer here actually have more in common with the techniques used by bands such as later ISIS and PELICAN, though VELNIAS offer a more melancholic approach to this style and of course a strong Pagan flavour. The Pagan sensibilities and themes are evident throughout the release, from the roughly performed vocals, to the aesthetics, track titles, band name, warm-sounding guitar and bass and also the unobtrusive samples taken from the natural world. This is basically a risk-free release as you know what should be expected, there is little doubt of this. It would be fair to say that this release is an ideal choice for those who are dedicated and perhaps obsessive followers of the Pagan / Progressive / Folk area of Black Metal as “Sovereign Nocturnal” is a more subtle offering than most in this genre though it is not without intensity, due to this fact the release may also be a good choice for those who follow Post-Rock and are looking for something a little different to their usual choice of music.
Overall “Sovereign Nocturnal” is a very promising and sensitively composed release from VELNIAS, however it is likely their very best output is yet to come (with “Sovereign Nocturnal” being their first official release following a demo recording). The band have well-established and strong ideas when it comes to the inspiration behind their work and so this focused attitude will no doubt continue to yield interesting and hypnotic results. VELNIAS are certainly what may be considered an “outsider” Black Metal band along with acts such as the arty and serene WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM who also base their works on nature. To sum it up; “Sovereign Nocturnal” is a superb choice for environmentalists, experimental Metallers and modern-day heathens. - Todestrieb Records
Darkness Undying
http://www.myspace.com/darknessundying
Unholy, Fast, Dark, Satanic, Black War!
Afterlight
http://www.myspace.com/afterlightmetal
Afterlight is a Melodic Black Metal band that was spawned in Ohio, USA in 2008 and completed it’s lineup in early 2009. Beginning their career sharing the stage with bands such as Mayhem, Marduk, and Absu, Afterlight has already achieved a cult following.
The debut EP entitled “Prophets of the Beast” was produced and engineered by ex-Nevermore/ex-Annihilator guitarist Curran Murphy and was released in August of 2009. Playing music inspired by classical and motivated purely by the ambition to destroy religion, Afterlight is the only band of it’s kind in the United States. Afterlight strays from the current “raw” and “old-school” black metal trend that is currently fluent in the United States using a more neo-classical/ European-influenced sound.
Afterlight is determined to be America’s answer for Melodic Black Metal.
The Conquering
http://www.myspace.com/theconquering
The Conquering began from the ashes of a band called Dark Night in Eden. The original lineup consisted of Christopher, Jason, and Dustin who played bass. Dustin was in and out of the band numerous times sometimes on bass and other times filling the second guitar position. The first self-released album (Of War and Witchery) was recorded in the year 2000. Dustin then left the band for the first time and work was begun on the second album (Grandiose Explorations of a Darker Subconscious) between Christopher and Jason. Near the end of the second album’s recording phase Dustin rejoined the band and layed down tracks for the bass and second guitars. Later Dustin quit for the final time. Jason had the idea to go ahead and record another album as a two piece and Christopher began writing for the third album (Realizations Closer to the Absolute Truth). Christopher and Jason performed all the instrumentation themselves and nearing the album’s completion found another bass player and second guitar player. Lloyd (second guitar) and Brian (bass) were with the band for a few years playing many shows in and around the Columbus area. They eventually grew tired of some of Christopher’s antics and left the band. Lloyd later rejoind for a brief time but decided to focus his energies on his own project. Again, Christopher and Jason decided to forge ahead, determining that they’re just too damn hard to work with, and work was begun for the fourth album. While rehearsing for the fourth album Jason and Christopher were introduced to Charlie through Jesse from Crush Efekt. Christopher and Jason decided to give it another shot with a new member and began the trudge to complete another album, “relentless intrusions into infrastructures of gods”. Later James joined the band to fill the second guitar player slot. Some shows were played and more writing commenced. “A Home We Lost” was recorded in late 2007 and released in 2008. In 2009 James and Charlie left the band. An old friend, Dan, joined in on bass. A 10 year re-recording of some of the bands favorite old songs is currently in the final mixing stages and should be available soon. The band has also begun work on another album.