Averse Sefira, Advent Parallax

Black metal from Texas? It’s not nearly cold enough or desolate enough down there for this to be from the States. Averse Sefira’s Advent Parallax is nearly an hour’s worth of despondent, aggressive blackness that’s enough to prove me wrong. The eight tracks on this album bring visions of frozen fields and slaughtered souls through a mixture of savage blasts and vocal bitterness that should only come from the long nights of Northern Europe.

While there are a few melodic instances on this album, Averse Sefira certainly don’t rely on them in the slightest. Instead, the band uses those moments to strengthen and amplify the raw malevolence that makes this album so damned evil. Whirlwind riffs and frequent blasts from the rhythm section only reinforce the acrid vocal delivery.

Descension
Averse Sefira’s opening track on Advent Parallax erupts right away with driving riffs and maniacal drumming. The vocals kick in just befor the 40 second mark with mid-range screams while swirling guitar work encircles the listener. Man throughout this track the riffing has a surreal, dizzying effect, keeping you on your toes constantly as the unrelenting drum work pounds you to dust.

Seance in a Warrior’s Memory
Thick, beefy guitar work starts this one off as the vocals and pummeling drums quickly follow. The riffing on this one is pretty catchy, yet damned violent as well. There are a bunch of moments on this one where the drum work devolves in to raw, animalistic beatings. There’s a bit of a momentum killing silence at around the 3:25 mark that lasts a good few second before the band blast out of the speakers with unholy fury once again.

Viral Kinesis
This one has a bit of a staggered riff going on while continuous double bass roll in the background from the rhythm section. There’s a nice chaotic feel to this one. There’s a nice shift in tempo momentarily right aroudn the three minute mark that gives the track a more aggressive edge.

Cognition of Rebirth
“Cognition of Rebirth” starts off with memorable riff work and more unrelenting drums while the vocals spew forth their message. This one is full of raw energy and aggression. There’s a slow down at the 2:45 mark that’s a nice change up from the driving pace the bad has set so far. It’s also got an interesting industrial feel to it, as well. Averse Sefira quickly bring the beat back up to speed momentarily before ending the track with some dark atmospherics.

Serpent Recoil
At 5:40 minutes in length, this is the shortest track on the album — and starts no less aggressively than any of the other songs on the album. Swirling riffs give way to pile driving drums and a surprising groove. There are some sick blasts from the drums peppered throughout this track.

A Shower of Idols
This next one gets started with memorable riffing and thunderous drums. Guitars swirl like demons in your head as the vocals kick in, tainting your brain with its dark message. I’m really digging the mixed tempos and guitar work at the mid point of this song. There’s a good bit of creativity going on here.

Refractions of an Unexploded Singularity
“Refractions of an Unexploded Singularity” is the longest song on the album, coming in at just over nine minutes in length. And in that time, we’re treated with twisted riffs, earth rattling drums and tenacious vocals. The song starts off with some memorable guitar work and beefy double bass before collapse in upon itself as the vocals come in. I’m not sure if there are guest vocals involved in this track or if it’s one of the other dudes in the band, but the deep guttural growls added during the midpoint of this song are a great addition — especially when combined with Sanguine Mapsama’s base vocals.

Vomitorium Angelis
Dis-harmonic noise and orchestral strings greet the listener after the epic “Refractions of an Unexploded Singularity.” The opening riff is catchy as hell and has a nice melodic edge to it. The slower tempo of this song gives it a darker more foreboding feel. This is a fine way to wrap up a great album.

~ ~ ~

Averse Sefira’s Advent Parallax is a churning, driving mass of black metal that has plenty of power, creativity and groove to keep your head firming planted to the speakers — head banging away like a mad man. The swirling riffs are what really do it for me with this album, completely enveloping the listener in every track — making you a part of the music. Besides, it’s black metal from Texas!!

Favorite Tracks:
Descension
Viral Kinesis
Cognition of Rebirth
Serpent Recoil
Vomitorium Angelis

Additional Notes:
N/A