Aetherius Obscuritas, Viziok

Coming from the one man black metal machine, Arkhorrl, Viziok is probably one of the most complete sounding albums of the year. Introducing a studio drummer for the first time on any of his material, Arkhorrl incorporates melodic choruses, evil drum blasts and group vocals into an album with a surprisingly massive sound.

From the get go, Viziok hits hard, fast and with enough evil to stop a priest’s heart dead. There are a few moments on this disc that go beyond your standard black metal fare. The melodies found throughout the album give it a quality and dynamic that really make this disc an enjoyable listening experience. Even with the layered elements of the music, there is is plenty of aggression and malignancy for the most die-hard black metal fan.

Viziok
After a brief sound clip, the title track literally explodes through the speakers with a hellishly long, tortured scream from Arkhorrl. Deafening blasts from the drums and soul ripping riffs tear through the air with a vengeance. Melodic riffing and maniacal drums continue through a track that has melodic moments through guitar work and the chorus. Arkhorrl delivery for the most part is on the higher end of the spectrum, but he punctuates his lyrics with some gnarly, deep guttural growls.

Mysterious Path of Desires
After the spectacularly evil opening track, Aetherius Obscuritas continues with memorable riffing and a slightly slower pace. Another big scream from Arkhorrl starts this one off, accompanied by a lighter overall sound. The pace quickly picks up with pummeling drums and caustic riffing.

Kiledic Tele A Dodnen (Nine Winters of Mist)
This next song starts off slowly with a couple of riffs before the drums kick in. This is an evil, thrashing bit of black metal. I love Arkhorrl’s devilery — it’s delivered with full force and is an unrelenting monster on the microphone. There’s a great bit of guitar work through this track.

Journey To Immortality
Creative riffing keeps the flow moving with “Journey To Immortality.” It’ a bit slower paced at the beginning and has a great groove to it. The abbrassive riffing disappears as chanted group vocals and acoustic guitar work take over. The tempo change is a bit abrupt, but makes for a nice change up.

The Lockless Door
After that last slower paced track, the band rips into this quicker paced monstrosity. Textured riffs join pile driving drums as Arkhorrl screams his ass off. This track lets up on the throttle toward the end as the music fades for the transition to the next song.

Mendekem A Sotetsegben (My Refuge In Darkness)
This Ragnarok cover starts off with some ambient noise and some guitar picking. It’s a much darker track, full of screams and bestial riffs. There’s a great solo about halfway through that breaks up the pummeling drums a bit.

Aloba II (Dream Pt. II)
Some nice riffing keeps another slower paced song moving along like the River Styx. There’s a good bit of creative drumming throughout this song as Arkhorrl shreds out some devastating riffs.

Kovenkbe Vesett Nyugalom
I love the opening riff for this one. Accompanied by the heavy drumming, it makes the start of this one a classic. This one is straight from a dark soul black metal at it’s best.

Black Moorland
Some evil guitar work and a few screams shift into plodding riffs and a slower vocal delivery on Arkhorrl’s part. The tempo shift is a nice change and makes this one seem that much darker. The band erupts here and there for a few blasts, but for the most part this one is the slowest moving monster on the album.

Who Never Really Left
Quiet guitar work dominates the instrumental “Who Never Really Left.” I feel as though I’ve heard this one somewhere before, but that could just be a general feeling toward acoustic guitar in metal albums. It’s not a bad track and is quite soothing before the next song.

Idegneul (As A Stranger)
Memorable riffing pick up where as the instrumental fades. This is the catchiest song on the album with some of the most original and layered song writing. It’s easily my favorite track on the album.

Holtseak (Dead Season)
More creative song writing continues with the final track. There is a nice bit of vocal work as the music starts and stops through the first few moments of the song. Then all hell breaks loose with maniacal drumming and caustic riffs. The album ends strong with this one.

~ ~ ~

There’s a lot that even non traditional black metal fans can find to enjoy on this latest album from Arkhorrl. Catchy riffs, some melodic moments and rapid fire blasts work together to create quite a powerful album.

Favorite Tracks:
Viziok
Mysterious Path of Desires
The Lockless Door
Aloba II (Dream Pt. II)
Idegneul (As A Stranger)

Additional Notes:
n/a