Memoria Vetusta I: Fathers of the Icy Age

Blut Aus Nord’s abstruse style holds erratically on its own terms. To speak of preferences, Ultima Thulée and Memoria Vetusta I: Fathers Of The Icy Age (henceforth just called MV) are in a league of their own. MV constantly unfolds; it is a profound, modular maturation. To both succeed the debut and to have (then) concluded it musically leaves the two adorned in the annals of that era. These first two, much more in the style of straightforward, atmospheric black metal than the band’s more ventured path, are intense, introspective journeys. No dimension exists in which this album is second to another black metal album. With fervency crafted into seven sagas - intertwining melody and dauntlessness into a riveting, frozen outpour of music - MV is Blut Aus Nord’s crowning achievement.

What lies herein is an effusion of riffs basked in the most frigid, expansive veneer I’ve ever heard in black metal. The icy riffs sound primordial and echoed, attacking like torrents in mammoth fashion. The opening / ending ambience – a few haunting notes at the core – is so jarring that it’s a passage of terror. After it opens this way, what follows is an onslaught of delectable, decimating riffs and harmonies. Vindsval’s compositional skills at such a young age blended impulsive aggression into sophisticated, stately epics. Each melody is tailored to a movement; each evocative chant is internally tied to an impious scream; each rupturing riff is supplementary to its leading harmony. This is an album of marveled interconnectivity, whether in scales of one song or on the gamut of the entire album.

MV’s got some odd characteristics which on the surface aren’t qualities that’d yield a classic album. It’s quite entry level in terms of black metal without reserving unyielding passion to suit another purpose. Vindsval’s screams are typical of the genre, with some distance given to its harshness. Drumming is punchy but I myself wouldn’t even consider it one of my favorite performances in terms of patterns or fills. With that said, any part I could even think of downplaying are tantalizing. What I crave out of black metal is satiated when I listen to this album. Moments like the bludgeoning riffs and glacial harmonies of “Sons Of Wisdom, Master Of Elements” is uplifting in perplexing ways. Its delivery is similar to waves amassed and colliding, but on an astronomical level.

Topping even that are the twin peaks of this album – “The Territory Of Witches” and “Fathers Of The Icy Age”. This is the limit of black metal - when it comes to the genre, I don’t think there is anything until the end of time that will beat these two. They are turbulent, grand songs with frenzied riffing and a vast scope. It’s here when a mention of the meaty bass is most important. The stance of the bass is exonerated and blubbery amid the sweltering, sharp guitar tone. For these two particular songs, the bass and guitars sound like roars and booms. The title track’s the best example of this; it’s opening riff like a distant, dreaded siren. Their tsunami-like endings are where black metal hits its vertex for their sheer enormity alone. The idyllic leads in “The Territory Of Witches,” softly helped by the keys, hits that outro lick and becomes one of the most devastating and alluring pieces of music I’ve ever heard. The title track does the same with its outro but for a longer period, employing a similar harmonic lick to conclude the album in the most emotional fashion (tagged with the same cryptic key-intro as the opening song).

Black metal’s moved on in several directions since this album’s release, as it should in order to explore and create quality music out of new frontiers. Black metal’s vivacity is one I prefer to death metal in several capacities, though without downplaying that genre I’d say the best works of both are masters of their domains. Nevertheless, Blut Aus Nord’s achievements have not gone unnoticed in their long career. They turned to a more industrial / experimental band unsuited for my tastes later, so the titanic, more common style of these first two is where my genuine adoration lies. MV’s catchy, highly atmospheric, and mystical qualities are unparalleled, so anyone wanting to find the same can expect nothing but the highest class in this.