Wolvserpent - Aporia:Kāla:Ananta (2016)Release ID: 15705
Wolvserpent are an odd duo in terms of the often life or death choice of where to put a band based on their sound. The anally retentive readers amongst you may have a full blown aneurysm trying to safely store this complex blend of doom, death, black, drone, folk and harrowing classical influences into a safe and neat little pigeonhole. Add to the fact that this latest release (still not typing the proper title) is actually a 40 minute single-song composition that takes you through everyone of the above listed experiences at least once and your heads may even pop. Take my advice, create an "Other" or "Unknown" folder/shelf/record box/CD tower and stick it in there.
If you are already familiar with Wolvserpent then you won't be disappointed here. It is hard to review any Wolvserpent release because there is so much going on and to be honest I still don't think that my humble words would a) prepare you for the actual experience or b) do it real justice as a piece of wonderfully composed and thought out music. It is the recording of a mental actual state, a forty minute snapshot of a parallel universe in which although it is very beautiful and mesmerising you still can't fight the feeling that something wicked could come this way at any moment. In every sensation tingling moment of surreal transcendence there's a niggling doubt in the back of your head that a looming black cloud of nefarious torment is not just about to sweep in on the westerly wind.
It is safe to say that the track takes you on a journey, which is basically what all music should do.
An absolutely sublime album that comprises a single 40 minute track that blends drone, ambient, doom and classically-influenced passages. At times sounding fragile and ethereal, at others seismically slow and mountainously heavy, I was left breathless after the first listen. Yet another great example of challenging, yet still listenable metal.
