Band: Darvaza
Country: Italy / Norway
Album: Ascending Into Perdition
Label: Terratur Possessions
Website: Facebook
This release has been highly anticipated. I have waited and hanged on for a full length release from this project for half a decade now, especially after getting more and more into their first three EPs. And the fact that they made such a mark with them from the very beginning shows what kind of band we are talking about, one that had laid the groundwork for a debut way after it was established in the scene, creating this feeling of desire to the fans, including me. Every time I went back to The Silver Chalice or The Downward Descent, I would think "but really, where is the full length from these guys?" and keep waiting.
And by guys, I don't really mean your common black metal musicians. For people unaware of Darvaza, this band is a duo consisting of these two individuals: vocalist Wraath, who has been an active member of Celestial Bloodshed during their time of prime, as well as singing for One Tail, One Head and has also played - among others - in Mare, Fides Inversa and Behexen. The instruments are handled from Omega, one of the most infamous drummers of the last twenty years, who started playing in Handful of Hate back in the late 90's, and since has been drumming for Acherontas, Frostmoon Eclipse, also Fides Inversa, he was involved in Macabre Omen's debut The Ancient Returns in 2005, he has played in Moloch for several years and in Chaos Invocation / Blut Aus Nord for a couple of albums, not to mention that he was part of the supergroup Martröð (a project that will have you shiver when you see its line up, even though the resulting EP may not have lived up to its expectations).
And now, that the Italian and Norwegian counterparts of Darvaza have been explained, there's no question the two members have been rather busy but still maintained activity with this project, which could explain the absence of more material until now, yet I don't think they would rather feel the need to rush things for any external reason. Nevertheless, I have always yearned for an actual full release under this name and it has finally taken form in this 43 minute opus, named Ascending Into Perdition. And thankfully, it continues the habits of the previous smaller releases very closely: worn out black / gray art, simplistic design, and admirable music. Much like before, Darvaza goes hard with dry and as organic as possible sound, like an unfiltered spirit straight from the cask in the cellar.
Ascending Into Perdition has something I am always after in black metal, and it makes everything shine brighter right off the bat: sincerity. Listening to the album, you probably won't find unbelievably heavy, technical or new parts, the guitar lines are plain direct and quite melodic, as it is mostly focused on a lot of middle-paced playing, and when it gets faster it is not out of heaviness but to reinforce the black curtain the band lays with their material. In this way, they don't need to be too loud, every riff is wonderful, the drumming is excellent and the bass also has its moments, the raspy vocals undergo a lot of variety and the compositions as a whole are well thought and well executed. Darvaza don't want to impress anyone because they don't need this kind of validation, and Ascending Into Perdition is an ultimate, pure example of this forbearance for pretentiousness.
Such intentions are manifested in the whole of the record, as for instance in "The Spear and the Tumult". Opening with a fast paced but moderate and repetitive section, the atmosphere sets as Darvaza plays on with simple in design but highly efficient guitar lines and excellent vocal work, which makes the 8 minutes of duration of this track feel like nothing. Equally prominent is "Mouth of the Dragon" for the same reasons, as more and more guitar textures unfold and the album fully sets in, consisting only of this kind of indirectly dominant content. The lyrics are mostly understandable and, heavily into the occult, darkness and satanism, are just a pleasure to listen to coming from an honest source like Darvaza. Interesting lines are featured in "This Hungry Triumphant Darkness", where the band picks up an otherwise played war metal line before entering a more rock-ish part in the middle of the song, which combines some of the heavier moments of the album and some of the mildest, at the same time.
The ending part of Ascending Into Perdition is the real highlight of the release. "The Second Woe" starts off with slow drums and introduces its assertive semi-DSBM guitar melodies as well as harsh vocals immediately, with a chilling turn towards the middle and closure of the track. In an album full of high quality pieces, that track stood out for me for all the reasons I like Darvaza and their composing stance. An equally amazing orchestral introduction opens the final tune "Silence In Heaven", which is the longest number in Ascending Into Perdition and a bliss to listen to from start to finish, as it features all the band's elements at full force. In many ways, this record is more forceful than many extreme metal releases out there that rely purely on playing in the most frenzied manner possible, as if the listener will get spooked by the noise. Here is a truly powerful release.
After 2018, any time was a good time for a Darvaza full length album. With Ascending Into Perdition, they leave me satisfied with some of their most complete material to date and finally a discrete point where you can refer to when listening to them, it only took four years as it seems but I will be listening to the record repeatedly for a long time now, just because of how easy it makes it for you. There is no unnecessary complication in this release, while it still doesn't compromise for a second and it's not here to bullshit you with useless adornments. Straight to the point, Darvaza confirm their quality and ensure that our waiting was not for nothing.
Release date: February 4th, 2022
Tracklist:
1. Mother of Harlots
2. The Spear and the Tumult
3. Mouth of the Dragon
4. This Hungry Triumphant Darkness
5. The Second Woe
6. Silence in Heaven
Listen:
Pure awesomeness!
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