Review: Von Leufel - Wolf's Path (2013)

There are times that the coincidences of life make us discover some interesting stuff. Almost a year ago, I decided to contact Christophe Szpajdel, the legendary "Lord Of The Logos" to request him (obviously) a logo for a personal project dedicated to elaborate logos for bands (perhaps a bit ironic). He was simply the right guy for that, and practically my main inspiration for this project. In this talk, Szpajdel talked to me about a band called Von Leufel, for which he had to make a logo. I listen to this band, and then he asks me to collaborate with him. Well, I made a sketch with the basic idea, which was transformed later into the current logo stylized by Szpajdel

Well, where am I going with all of this? This band called for my attention, having a unique sound, an idea, and a solid proposal. Emerged from the ashes of Vampiria, a band of melodic/gothic black metal, Von Leufel does not fall into the characteristics of a generic black metal band, they present a unique sound and refreshing characteristics for a not-very-exploited genre in Argentina. That being said, let’s see what this quartet has brought in their hands.

"Revealing Of The Dark Oath" begins, in mid-tempo and with a quite dense atmosphere, promising to be an interesting track. The gutturals merge and alternate with the clean vocals very naturally, exposing a lot of fluidity at the time of composition. Several interesting elements in the song can be appreciated, from some progressive winks, to the most classic heavy metal arrangements, but without a single lost in the ferocity and power of black metal. When it comes to getting hard, they don’t hesitate a single moment: speed changes are accomplished with ease and an overwhelming sound. First track passes the first "test" easily.

With "Wolf’s Path" we are introduced to a raw band, that in 4 minutes (the shortest track from the EP) attacks us with pure blast beat, showing an impressive control by Johann V, allowing himself to add different textures and nuances at the same time he accelerates deeply. The only calm section of the track presents again progressive elements that fit pretty well with the compositions, enhancing and making those tracks more enjoyable. Pure intensity and devastation, with a distinctive signature that starts being clearly outlined.

In "Soul Devoured Warrior", first track’s mid-tempos make a comeback, relaxing the listener after the intensity of the previous track. To that end, they include a chorus with a lot of "hook", later presenting a break, a speed turnover, achieving an interesting counterpoint. If there is something that we shall notice is that tracks tend to be quite extensive, including durations between six to eight minutes; nevertheless all those tracks pass quickly, without becoming excessively dense or boring. Von Leufel manages to keep the listener interested and entertained by the compositions. We must also highlight how good the guitar and keyboard complement each other (thanks to Demian and Misael, respectively), alternating command or sharing melodic sections with excellent results.

The fourth track, "Sons Of The Serpent", became my favorite track of the EP. A speed /thrash basis takes over the song, becoming very addictive itself. The keyboard base, always present, mingles perfectly with the main idea of the song, managing to be stuck in your mind with ease. To be an auto-produced EP, they really did a great job  referring to the final mix, where instruments sound balanced and there is no "saturated" sections, everything is audible (though the bass is somewhat relegated) and you can easily appreciate the general work. A very enjoyable and entertaining song, showing the variety of things the band works with.

It is in the fifth song, "The Battle Of Thousand Years", where I’ve been left with a question:  Why to start almost every track with an extended yell? I mean, it’s ok on a couple of tracks, but then it becomes a little exasperating. Taking that detail off, Von Leufel attacks with ferocity at the beginning, to be developing then a very interesting track with different rhythmic sections that once again demonstrate the enormous quality and cohesion that the band has. It’s another high point in EP, nine impeccable minutes in all matters referring to execution and composition.

The final track, "Midnight Gathering" is the most traditional heavy metal focused track, with an exquisite riff that sustains its interest thanks to the combination of the progressive elements that appear to be built-in, coupled with the ease of which elements of such distinct genres as black and extreme metal blend with their father genre. As we listen to this track, it’s impossible not to be surprised, especially with that flirting with hard rock in blues key solo, ending into a magnificent result. Simply amazing.

This is the debut of a band that has a long future, and in urgent need of a flawless production in order to catapult those ideas and that sound to the next level. A proposal that pairs with Heksabort and Inexistence as the best and most interesting ideas concerning to black metal in Argentina, deserving to be highly valued by everyone.

Score: 87/100

Reseña: Von Leufel - Wolf's Path (2013)

Hay veces en que las casualidades de la vida nos hacen encontrarnos con cosas interesantes. Hace casi un año, decidí contactarme con Christophe Szpajdel, el legendario “Lord Of The Logos” para pedirle (obviamente) un logo para un proyecto personal con el objeto de hacer logos para bandas (quizás resulte un poco irónico). Simplemente era la persona indicada para ello, y prácticamente mi principal inspiración para comenzar ese proyecto.  En esa charla, Szpajdel me habló de una banda llamada Von Leufel, a la cual él tenía que hacerle un logo. Escucho a la banda, y me pide que colaborara con él. Y bien, hice un boceto con la idea base, que luego se transformó en el logo actual estilizado por Szpajdel.

Bueno, ¿a qué voy con esto? A que la banda me llamó mucho la atención, tenían un sonido propio, una idea, y una propuesta. Surgidos de las cenizas de Vampiria, banda de Black Metal Melódico/Gótico, Von Leufel  no es una banda de Black Metal genérico, presentan un sonido propio y unas características refrescantes para un género no muy explotado en Argentina. Dicho esto, veamos que se trae entre manos este cuarteto.

Comienza “Revealing Of The Dark Oath”, a medio tiempo y con una atmósfera bastante densa, prometiendo un tema interesante. Los guturales se fusionan y alternan con las voces limpias con mucha naturalidad, mostrando mucha fluidez a la hora de componer. Se pueden apreciar varios elementos interesantes en la canción, desde algunos guiños progresivos, hasta elementos de Heavy Metal más clásico, pero sin perder la fiereza y potencia del Black Metal. Y cuando se trata de ponerse duros, no dudan un instante: los cambios de velocidad se logran con mucha facilidad y un sonido aplastante. El primer tema pasa el primer“examen” con soltura.

Con “Wolf’s Path” tenemos a una banda cruda, que en 4 minutos (el tema más corto del EP) nos atacan a puro blast beat, con un control impresionante por parte de Johann V, que se permite añadir diferentes texturas y matices al mismo tiempo que acelera a fondo. La única sección calma del tema muestra nuevamente elementos progresivos que le sientan muy bien a las composiciones, las realzan y hacen que los temas sean más disfrutables. Pura intensidad y devastación, con un sello propio que se comienza a delinear claramente.

En “Soul Devoured Warrior” vuelven los medios tiempos del primer tema, relajando al oyente luego de la intensidad del tema anterior. Para ello incluyen un estribillo con mucho “gancho”, que luego presenta un quiebre, un cambio de velocidad, logrando un contrapunto interesante. Si hay algo que notaremos es que los temas suelen ser extensos, con una duración de entre 6 y 8 minutos, sin embargo los temas pasan rápido, sin hacerse densos ni aburridos. Von Leufel logra mantener al oyente interesado, entretenido por las composiciones. Hay que destacar también lo bien que se complementan guitarra y teclado (por parte de Demian y Misael, respectivamente), alternándose el mando o compartiendo las secciones melódicas con excelentes resultados.

El cuarto tema, “Sons Of The Serpent”, se volvió mi tema predilecto del EP. Una base Speed /Thrash se adueña de la canción, volviéndose adictiva. La base de teclado, siempre presente, se mimetiza perfectamente con la idea de la canción, logrando atascarse en tu cerebro con mucha facilidad. Para ser un EP auto producido, realmente hicieron un gran trabajo en lo referente a la mezcla final, donde los instrumentos suenan equilibrados y no hay secciones “saturadas”, todo es  audible (aunque el bajo queda un tanto relegado) y se puede apreciar con facilidad la obra general. Una canción muy disfrutable y entretenida, mostrando la variedad de elementos que maneja la banda.

Es en la anteúltima canción, “The Battle Of Thousand Years”, donde me queda un interrogante: ¿Por qué comenzar casi todos los temas con un grito extendido? Es decir, en un par de temas está bien, pero luego se vuelve un poco exasperante. Sacando ese detalle de lado, Von Leufel ataca con ferocidad en el comienzo, para luego ir desarrollando un tema muy interesante con diferentes secciones rítmicas que vuelven a demostrar la calidad y unidad que tienen como banda. Otro punto alto en el EP, 9 minutos impecables en todo lo referente a la ejecución y composición.

El tema final. “Midnight Gathering” el tema más enfocado en el Heavy Metal tradicional, con un riff exquisito que además mantiene el interés gracias a la combinación de los elementos progresivos que parece llevaran incorporados, aunado a la facilidad con que mezclan elementos de géneros tan disímiles como lo son el Black Metal y el Metal Extremo, con el género madre de los mismos. Al escuchar este tema es imposible no quedar sorprendido, en especial con el solo, que coquetea con el Hard Rock en clave Blues con un resultado magnífico. Sencillamente sorprendente.

El debut de una banda que tiene muchísimo futuro, y necesita urgente una producción impecable para catapultar esas ideas y ese sonido a otro nivel. Una propuesta que se codea con Heksabort e Inexistence como lo mejor y más interesante en lo referente al Black Metal en Argentina, y merece ser valorada por todos.

Calificación: 87/100

Review: Jardín De La Croix - 187 Steps To Cross The Universe (2013)

Into the great horde of Post-Rock bands, a really interesting but over populated scene where a band is an exact copy of another one, there still are some that are really enjoyable. In a sub-genre where progressive rock is practically implicit (with different intensities, of course), bands like Scale The Summit brought some fresh air to the scene by exposing those progressive elements and making them "explicit". I mean, Post-Rock with a progressive sound, and with all of what that implies: an increasing rate of technical elements, scales, tempo changes, rhythms and schemes, etc.

In that line we find Jardín De La Croix, a Spanish group founded in 2007, that after their auspicious debut in 2008 (“Pomeroy”) they managed to get attention from the underground scene in 2011, with their second work named “Ocean Cosmonauts”, an excellent record, combining in a classy way the Prog Rock world with the more elementary Post-Rock. After this album, expectations for 2013 were high, really high.

In “187 Steps to Cross the Universe”, we find an interesting sound renewal. Inspired by Nikola Tesla (in the cover you can see the band's intention), they decide to give us their most electric, heavy and intense album. Let's see what the result of this is…

The album starts with “Man Made Lightning”, no concessions given. Very intense, guitars alternate between mindless phrasings, even surprisingly relaxing bases. The rhythmic work is sublime, managing to keep the same dynamic structure…. dynamic, making the listener to stay heedful for the different variations and structures proposed. Being an instrumental piece helps to heighten the participation of each member, bringing out their ability to send a message, an idea, a feeling. With a length of 7 minutes, everything is wonderful, balanced, pungent and melodic at the same time.

Second song. “Topsy’s Revenge” it starts with parsimony, in crescendo, that finally blows up on your face. The impact that they create by increasing the intensity surprises even those who know the genre well, skimming the Metal sound. While they don't do Metal, they flirt with elements of the genre, making the general sound resources of the band abundant and stronger. Both guitarists make a wonderful team work, alternating the handling of melodies, becoming an enviable and enjoyable duo.

For the third song, other 7 minutes of majesty. “Colorado Springs” shows them very active and eclectic, clearly showing that it's no coincidence that they were inspired in Nikola Tesla for composing. Every section, every rhythmic pattern, every melody keeps the listener hypnotized, going through a rollercoaster filled with different emotions and astonishments from the variations and up and downs created by the band every second. With “electricity” as a premise, it sounds devious, rabid, hypnotic and sublime. Every detail has its own intention, to make the listener feel something, and be different from every other pretentious and self-indulgent band.

A quite disturbing introduction leads to the albums last song, “Talking with Planets”. What is in this song? More of the same? Yes and no. Because while there isn't a lot of variations like in the other songs of the album, they don't need a 180º turn to keep us interested. And then we notice something: Jardín De La Croix has a style of its own, an identity that has developed through the years and evolves album after album, making every work and song special, having their own characteristics. It's when a 10 minute song feels like a 3 minute one, being so focused on the track, time is no longer important. It's when we think about it when we realize that not many bands can do that.

Because of that and many other things, “187 Steps To Cross The Universe” it's the best album of a band that doesn't stop growing and showing they are the very best of the international Post-Rock scene. A band that gets better after every album, creating unforgettable songs. This is the best of 2013 so far, no doubt.

Score: 96/100