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Vltimas, an ensemble distinguished by its formidable foray into the realms of extreme metal, has once again captivated the genre’s audience with the release of their highly-anticipated sophomore album, ‘EPIC,’ under the auspices of Season of Mist. This multinational quintet, composed of Norwegian guitarist Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen (ex-Mayhem, and Aura Noir), American vocalist David Vincent (ex-Morbid Angel), Canadian drummer Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy), Dutch bassist Ype TVS (ex-Dodecahedron), and Portuguese guitarist João Duarte (Corpus Christii), embarks on a continued journey characterized by robust musical exploration and unwavering artistic integrity. The addition of TVS and Duarte expands the band’s sonic palette, reinforcing their already potent musical foundation. Their debut album, ‘Something Wicked Marches In,’ released in 2019, was met with critical acclaim, setting the stage for their much-anticipated follow-up, ‘EPIC,’ due for release on March 15th, 2024.
Vltimas, often referred to as the “unholy trinity,” brings together over three decades of experience and innovation within the metal domain. Their upcoming album, ‘EPIC,’ exemplifies their dedication to pushing the envelope of extreme metal. The album’s third single, ‘Invictus,’ is a formidable declaration of their refusal to conform or be subdued. This track, alongside others such as ‘Volens Discordant,’ ‘Miserere,’ and the narrative-driven ‘Scorcher,’ showcases the band’s ability to weave intricate musical landscapes that are both aggressively potent and rich in atmospheric depth.
‘Invictus’ stands out as a grandiose exhibition of Vltimas’s mastery over their craft. The track is introduced with a ferocity emblematic of Mounier’s unparalleled percussion skills, rapidly unfurling into a relentless barrage of blast beats. Vincent, with his distinctive vocal prowess, delivers lines that resonate with the thematic core of their music, his evolution as a vocalist evident in his clearer, yet no less menacing, delivery. Eriksen’s guitar work on this track, characterized by its precision and speed, further cements his reputation as a master of his instrument. The song crescendos into a furious finale, leaving an indelible mark on the listener.
This synthesis of skill, experience, and artistic vision has solidified Vltimas’s reputation as a band and as a legend within the metal community. Their commitment to exploring the depths of human emotion and the extremities of sound while maintaining meticulous attention to musical detail has set a new standard within the genre.
In anticipation of ‘EPIC,’ Vltimas has announced a European tour, offering fans a rare opportunity to experience their formidable live performance. The tour is set to cover several key locations, providing a diverse audience with the chance to witness the band’s dynamic and powerful stage presence.
Extreme metal, a subgenre of heavy metal music, emerged in the early 1980s, epitomizing a sonic departure towards more aggressive, faster, and darker territories than its predecessors. This genre encompasses several subgenres, including but not limited to black metal, death metal, doom metal, and thrash metal, each with its unique stylistic elements and cultural connotations. The evolution of extreme metal can be traced back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, with bands like Venom, Bathory, and Slayer laying the foundational sonic blueprints that would influence countless acts to follow.
Venom’s 1982 album ‘Black Metal’ is often cited as a seminal influence, not only contributing to the term but also setting a precedent for thematic and musical elements characteristic of extreme metal. Lyrics often delve into themes of occultism, paganism, satanism, and anti-Christian sentiment, juxtaposed with high-velocity guitar riffs, blast beat drumming, and guttural vocal techniques that defy the musical norms of the time.
Simultaneously, in Sweden and Florida, the seeds of death metal were sown, marked by bands like Death, Morbid Angel, and Entombed. This subgenre amplified the brutality, incorporating more complex song structures, deeper growling vocals, and explicitly gory or philosophical lyrics. Death metal’s thematic content often explores mortality, macabre, and existential nihilism, challenging listeners to confront the darker aspects of human existence and consciousness.
Black metal further diversified the extreme landscape during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with Norwegian bands such as Mayhem, Burzum, and Darkthrone at the forefront. Black metal is distinguished by its lo-fi production, shrieking vocals, and atmospheric elements, with lyrical themes frequently touching upon nature, folklore, and anti-modernism. A significant, albeit controversial, aspect of black metal’s history is its association with church burnings, criminal activities, and ideologically driven conflicts within the scene, which have been both sensationalized and scrutinized by media and academics alike.
Doom metal, tracing its roots to the early work of Black Sabbath, offers a counterpoint to the speed and aggression of its extreme counterparts, emphasizing slower tempos, heavier riffs, and an overarching sense of despair and melancholy. Bands like Candlemass and Saint Vitus have been instrumental in crafting the doom metal aesthetic, combining the weight of their sonic output with themes of doom, despair, and the existential ponderings of human fate.
The cultural impact of extreme metal extends beyond its musical innovation, influencing fashion, visual art, and lifestyle among its adherents. Band logos and albums characterize the genre’s visual aesthetic covers incorporating intricate, often gothic or occult-themed artwork. At the same time, fashion elements include black clothing, leather, spikes, and corpse paint, particularly within the black metal subculture. Extreme metal has also fostered a tight-knit global community, connected through underground tape trading networks in the pre-internet era, fanzines, festivals, and online platforms.
Released on March 29th, 2019, through Season of Mist, ‘Something Wicked Marches In’ is a seminal album by Vltimas, encapsulating death metal’s intense energy and technical prowess with the atmospheric depth of black metal. The album is a remarkable testament to the synergistic potential inherent in amalgamating these musicians’ unique backgrounds and skills. It explores themes of darkness, nihilism, and existential dread and showcases a sophisticated level of musicianship through its intricate compositions and elaborate arrangements.
The record label Season of Mist, known for its diverse roster of metal bands, has provided a fitting platform for Vltimas’s ambitious project, ensuring its reach to a broader audience and affirming the label’s role in promoting innovative and genre-defying music. The release of ‘Something Wicked Marches In’ marks a significant moment in the evolution of extreme metal, highlighting the genre’s capacity for reinvention and its continuous exploration of the boundaries of musical extremity.
Vltimas’s journey from their debut to the upcoming release of ‘EPIC’ on March 15th, 2024, through Season of Mist, represents a significant chapter in the narrative of extreme metal. Their ability to innovate within the genre, combined with their unwavering dedication to their craft, has earned them a place among the pantheon of metal greats and paved the way for future explorations within the genre.
The creative process behind ‘EPIC’ was marked by an unparalleled organicity nurtured within the rustic confines of Vincent’s ranch in Dime Box, Texas. This setting facilitated a synergistic environment, fostering spontaneous musical ideations and deep camaraderie among the members. Vincent reminisces about the magical instances of collaborative genius, highlighting the unique chemistry that fuels Vltimas’s creativity. This shared space and collective spirit were pivotal in shaping the album’s direction, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of physical co-presence in their creative methodology.
Eriksen’s approach to riff composition, a critical element of Vltimas’s sound, benefits significantly from the dynamic interplay with Vincent and Mounier. Mounier’s celebrated prowess, encapsulated in his instructional DVD ‘Extreme Metal Drumming 101,’ complements Eriksen’s innovative guitar work, creating a potent musical force. The tracks ‘Miserere,’ ‘Mephisto Manifesto,’ and ‘Nature’s Fangs’ exemplify the band’s capacity to meld mood, groove, and ferocity into a cohesive auditory experience, reflecting the intrinsic chemistry and ambition that define Vltimas.
With ‘EPIC,’ Vltimas aspired to craft music that resonates on multiple levels, offering direct, potent compositions without compromising the depth and complexity that characterized their debut. Eriksen’s disdain for preconceived musical goals underscores the band’s commitment to authenticity and spontaneous creation, guiding the album’s development. Vincent’s lyrical prowess, manifesting in double entendres and sophisticated wordplay, probes themes of strength, honor, and existential contemplation, inviting listeners to engage with the music on an introspective level.
The recording process of ‘EPIC,’ led by producer Jaime Gomez Arellano and engineer Jonathan Mazzeo at Arda Recorders in Porto, Portugal, mirrored the band’s dedication to authenticity. Eschewing digital manipulation favoring traditional outboard gear, the album captures the raw essence of Vltimas’ sound. The intense, focused recording sessions, punctuated by moments of stress and inspiration, underscored the band’s commitment to capturing the spontaneous bursts of creativity that define their work.
Daniele Valeriani’s visually striking album art for ‘EPIC’ encapsulates the band’s thematic and musical boldness. The imagery, featuring a three-eagle head crest and symbolic elements, visually echoes the album’s audacious sonic landscape. With tracks like ‘Miserere,’ ‘Mephisto Manifesto,’ ‘Scorcher,’ and ‘Invictus,’ Vltimas not only consolidated their position in extreme metal but also propelled the genre forward through their inventive synthesis of traditional and contemporary elements.
Eriksen and Vincent articulate the essence of Vltimas with a focus on emotional honesty and thematic richness. The album ‘EPIC’ emerges as a testament to the strength, both musically and thematically, showcasing the band’s evolution and continued impact on the extreme metal genre. Vltimas stands as a beacon of innovation and excellence in the modern metal landscape through their collaborative spirit, inventive musicality, and profound thematic exploration.
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