Date: September 27th, 2024
Label: Immortal Frost Productions
In a previous review, I wrote there are many interesting ensembles in Belgium. So in order to not sound hollow, we’ll stay in this country for a while. I tell you even more, we’re not changing the region at all. I mean, Ars Veneficium, just like Aborted, comes from Flandres. But what city or even cities of this quite huge area (13.626 sq km) they’re coming from is a mystery for me. However, given that the most important and actually the only thing we care about is music, then we can without a problem survive the fact that we know the place of their origin only approximately, can’t we? “The Lurking…” is their third full-length, which considering that they were created eleven years ago isn’t a very impressive result. But guys also have some splits and EPs in their discography, so…
Anyways, these seven songs taking almost, with no two seconds, forty-one minutes are definitely something for fans of black metal. To be honest Ars Veneficium is, what’s a huge shame for me, only second. in the space of all those years Black Art’s act coming from Belgium. Yes, I wrote well – only the second one. The first one I got to know somewhere on the beginning of my journey through the underground scene, so it was, let’s say it loud, a long time ago. But to compare them isn’t too easy. That’s not only because Ancient Rites and Ars Veneficium was created in two different eras of metal evolution – A.R. is a real found yet in eighties legend of Belgian scene. Musically I also see a lot of differences here. The younger one has more to do with the second wave of black metal, but if you think this is what we can call typic Norwegian one, then I have to disappoint you a little. It has more to do with the German school of playing such creativity. Of course, the difference for maniacs who aren’t very deep into this kind of our beloved genre of music is that both Norwegian, German and Finnish ensembles sound almost the same. But if I can even recognize some details which make a difference between them, it must mean that schools aren’t one and the same. By the way, the creativity of the Belgian duo is mostly in the middle tempo, but some speed ups happen here of course from time to time. Generally, it’s just like black metal should be, at least in my opinion. I mean, this is raw, full of adequate atmosphere and at the same time you hear very clearly guys use their minds during the process of creating the music. You know, riffs or passages aren’t technically advanced as hell or even sophisticated, but it doesn’t change anything in general perception of music. You don’t, what’s, considering the, let’s say, requirements of a genre, as dark as a moonless night for me, find here some guitar tricks and stuff. Everything’s based on a few accords, rhythmic drumming and typical black metal quite screechy growling. So, we can, and even should, say: it’s classic of classic. It doesn’t of course mean you have the feeling you’re listening to one song the whole time. That’s even the contrary – in case both of every entire track and whole album you’ll don’t be bored even a moment. I address these words to less die-hard maniacs of the genre, who care the same about feelings (which are the most important especially in Black Art) and some kind of diversity in what they listen to.
As you know, I never was or even played the biggest fan of black metal on the planet and that’s why I’m very happy I found this band. This is one more evidence that you can spread music darkness, blasphemy with every single note, every word, to worship Satan doesn’t mean you can’t create something interesting in strictly music meaning. Well, in my opinion you should contact the band or label as soon as possible to get “The Lurking Shadow of Death”. Immortal Forest Productions make it possible to choose the format you like the most. Premiere took place not too long ago, September 27th, so I’m sure both CDs, digipack CD and vinyls are still available. Digital albums of course, too – but this isn’t something worth mentioning. I mean, such a version will be available forever. Label could of course delay it when they sell some number of copies, but… Wouldn’t it be meaningless?
