Vanum - Ageless Fire (2019)^{Release ID: 11556}

Vanum occupy that spot in melodic black metal that doesn't rely on pushing any boundaries or branching out in any new direction and instead just sticks with an established format being done well.  These Americans have crafted their art to being assured yet only flirting with the threat of predictability.  As I listen through Ageless Fire there's a fair share of  moments that I can see coming with my eyes shut, yet they still are relevant and of value to the overall piece. 

Vanum is the brainchild of two established black metal artists.  Kyle Morgan of Ash Borer and Michael Rekevics of Fell Voices (and others) put the band together and so the credentials of the band are strong on paper and also in the reality of what gets delivered.

The melodies are almost studious in their application and successfully frame the more uptempo passages on tracks (Eternity) giving breathing space from the at times relentless charge.  When in full-flow the band has a full and enriched sound that encapsulates all component parts of the instruments and vocals.  The muffled sounding vocals feel blended in the swarming pace of the bands more aggressive moments as opposed to ever being lost and the thoughtful use of atmosphere helps to define clear start and end points over what is quite a short tracklisting.

The drums are of particular note on here but are perhaps the one aspect of the instrumentation that gets lost in the mix at times.  When allowed to they pound and pummel away, driving the attack of those tremolo-rampant guitars that spearhead the charge for much of the record.  The keys that provide that smattering of atmosphere do a great job in the sense that they are so subtle that you at first don't notice them.  When you do clock them they support the rapturous melody of the leads perfectly (Under The Banner Of Death).

All of the goodness here is supported by a very warm sounding production which almost gives the album a Hellenic feel at times yet there are a fair few temperature reducing moments of bone-chilling beauty to satiate the appetite of the more kvlt listeners out there.  Overall, Vanum deliver a solid and dependable second full-length that relies on sharp songwriting and straight forward delivery to get their message across.

A decent black metal album that certainly isn't breaking any new ground, but what it does, it does quite well. Unlikely to stand out particularly from the mass of black metal released this year.