Swiss technical death metal act Virvum are recent additions to the fine Season of Mist roster, and they have recently unleashed their brand new album for the label, titled Illuminance. Containing eight tracks, Illuminance has a really nice balance between the more progressive side of the band, which you can hear on the lengthy title track, and the more brutal & technical nature of their music, which comes out in full force on "Ad Rigorem", "Earthwork", "The Cypher Supreme", and the bludgeoning "Tentacles of the Sun". Vocalist Bryan Berger unleashes a wild assault of growls, screams, and bellows, and he's surrounded by the twin guitar team of Nic Gruhn & Toby Koelman (who do an incredible job here), the acrobatic drums of Diego Morenzoni, and the sinewy bass of session musician Arran McSporran. The closing two-part epic "I: A New Journey Awaits" and
"II: A Final Warming Shine: Ascension and Trespassing" displays the real class of this band; yes it's death metal, but the melodies are soaring, the guitar work spectacular, and the rhythms intricate, as the guys jump back and forth between gorgeous progressive rock, potent extreme metal, and some bits of jazz-fusion as well for good measure.
Along with the latest from Ne Obliviscaris, Season of Mist has two of the most impressive technical/progressive death metal albums that have been released in the latter part of 2017. Virvum have arrived folks...do not miss this one!
Track Listing
1. The Cypher Supreme
2. Earthwork
3. Illuminance
4. Ad Rigorem
5. Tentacles Of The Sun
6. Elemental Shift
7. I: A New Journey Awaits
8. II: A Final Warming Shine: Ascension and Trespassing
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