---

In recent years, the international black metal scene has become increasingly crowded with one-man bands. And while this leads to some painfully dark and intensely personal black metal art, there is also a sense of trendiness and bandwagon-jumping beginning to pervade the rapidly growing subgenre. Fortunately for Arkhorrl, mastermind of Hungarian solo assault Aetherius Obscuritas, he has created an album that stands head and shoulders above the so-called "isolationist black metal" trend in Víziók (Visions).

Aetherius Obscuritas quickly separates itself from the pack on Víziók in a number of key ways. First is the use of session drummer Zson, as opposed to the often irritating and flat sounding programmed drums incorporated by so many of today's solo black metal artists. Zson's rolls and fills add a sense of dynamics and raw intensity that canned drums can never hope to capture. Secondly is the overall quality of sheer riffage found throughout the course of the album. Arkhorrl's guitar-work is layered and intricate with nary a trace of the ham-fisted primitivism that often mars underground black metal. Arkhorrl's twisted six-string melodies often make Víziók sound like the work of a more technically proficient Burzum. However, Aetherius Obscuritas is far from a Varg Vikernes tribute act, often using choirs, synths and accoustic guitar to evoke pagan atmospheres similar to Hammerheart-era Bathory. This folk/pagan influence is another trait distinguishing Arkhorrl's work from the slew of one-man black metal acts, replaciing the standard cold and grim atmospheres with an organic, earthy quality more akin to multi-member black metal acts such as Drudkh or Wolves in the Throne Room.

There is no shortage of highlights on Víziók, but the moments where Arkhorrl successfully incorporates all his influences tend to be when the album really comes into its own. "Journey to Immortality" effortlessly switches from furious tremolo riffs and seething vocal rasps by Arkhorrl to an accoustic break with choral chanting before finally layering all these seemingly disparate elements together to great effect near the song's finish. The track represents Aetherius Obscuritas at its creative best and is probably one the year's most captivating black metal songs, period. Other standouts, such as the opening title track with it's ridiculously catchy chanted chorus and "Idegenül" with its shifting tempos and even more stellar accoustic guitar work are nearly as well-written and further demonstrate Arkhorrl's gift for crafting intensely dynamic black metal.

Although the album runs a bit long at a dozen tracks, Víziók is still one of the mosr refreshing one-man black metal offerings to come along in some time, defying the rules at every turn by exchanging overdone isolationist depression for sonorous melodies and a passionate approach to song composition. Any black metal fan looking for something beyond the sea of Xasthur clones would do well seek out Aetherius Obscuritas.

---

Reviewer: Josh Haun Added: December 5th 2007