SVART CROWN: Wolves Among The Ashes (BLACK METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Svart Crown, born in 2004, has produced four albums, including "Abreaction", which was well received by Music Waves. Since then, Jean Baptiste Le Bail remained the only leader. Kevin Paradis (drums), Kevin Verlay (guitar) and Ludovic Veyssière (bass) have left, replaced by Nicolas Muller (Artefact, ex. Otargos, ex. Spheric Universe Experience) on drums, Clément Flandrois (Hyrgal) on guitar and Julien Negro (Anthropia, Spheric Universe Experience, Hamka) on bass. This new blood leads "Wolves Among The Ashes" to unmarked paths, to write a grimoire dedicated to the occult forces.

Even though the beginning of 'They Will Not Take Our Death In Vain' has a grandiloquent introduction worthy of a film credits, it's a square riff and martial drums that accompany the vocals. Then the listener is stunned by the unhealthy and opaque atmosphere created by harmonies. 'Thermageddon' begins with a death metal in the tradition of Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal or Immolation with an impassable wall of sound, supersonic drums and dissonant harmonies, but then the band plays with variations and superimpositions of timbres. The band wants to extend its aura beyond a limited horizon with parts at the limit of progressive, sounds full of wah worthy of Gorefest or doom-coloured moments.

But Svart Crown, as a worthy heir of Orakle, wanted to take a side track. 'Blessed Be The Fools' (is that a reference to 'Blessed Are The Sick'?) is a mixture of immiscible substances: leaden rhythms and grandiloquent choruses worthy of a celestial cathedral. 'Down To Nowhere' takes its roots in evil, dark, gothic or prog metal. The voice is whispered, the slow rhythm accentuates the anguish as in S.U.P. 'Art Of Obedience' sails on a swaying rhythm, while a small, tenuous melody escapes from this violent storm. 'At The Altar Of Beauty' is built on a black pedestal, even if the bare six-stringed instrument makes its way through the thickness of Immortal's sound.

Finaly, 'Exoria' and 'Living With The Enemy' are compositions that stretch the band's music beyond its limits. They synthesize classical leanings and a will to expand with many variations, between almost languorous soothed climates and overwhelming rhythmic flights with multiple vocal facets and a very particular colour.

"Wolves Among The Ashes" is an unhealthy occult recipe that pushes the limits of a genre. The black / death bases are visible with disturbing melodies and overwhelming rhythms. Almost carnal passages, multiple variations, varied textures, stripped guitars, almost liturgical vocals, the record is enjoyed gently, then releases a rain of sidereal sensations which projects its music light years away from the black metal, on inviolate worlds, in destructured landscapes of striking beauty. - Official website

SVART CROWN

WOLVES AMONG THE ASHES

CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS

BLACK METAL