Erdve emerges from the depths.
Hailing from their native Lithuania, the Season of Mist-signed band led by Vaidotas Darulis (guitar/vocals), Adomas Varnelis (guitar), Valdas Voveraitis (drums), and Karolis Urbanavicius (bass) unveils Epigrama, their third album, after five years of silence.
The album opens with a blend of dissonance and heaviness on Epigrama, the title track, which wastes no time in knocking us out with massive riffs even before the arrival of the heart-wrenching screams that fit perfectly with the song’s raw tones. It had been a long time since I’d felt such chills, as the vocals are so heart-wrenching, even during the few slightly more breathable moments, and the same goes for Nyra, the next track, which immediately takes over and hypnotizes us with its crystalline tones that contrast with the thick, heavy foundation. Once again, it’s the contrast between the different elements that makes the sound incredibly engaging, as Skepsis focuses on a much more jerky rhythm paired with complex, intricate patterns, but also includes well-deserved moments of pause to reinforce the return of the distortion, all while incorporating light harmonics. The opening moments of Ydos might lead us to believe the track is settling into a calm groove, but the return of the screams immediately energizes the song, even giving it a Hardcore vibe before an unexpected and chaotic acceleration. The track returns to its cruising pace and assaults us all the way to Trukm?, where the atmosphere is far from calming down despite the return of the intoxicating leads, making us relive the relentless hurricane that is sure to overwhelm us as usual, even flaring up before a trap section that leads to the final, then to Svertas. Unsurprisingly, we’re once again confronted with the usual suffocating, hellish tones that rage at varying paces to accentuate this relentless pounding that we endure as much as we enjoy it, but the track reserves a genuine moment of uncertainty before resuming its haunting march toward Rauksles, not without one last kick. This new composition offers the most accessible rhythm on the album, but it becomes just as abrasive as the others when all the elements come together, then we enjoy a moment of respite with the opening notes of Skleistis, the final track that pins us to the ground only to better coax us with its gentleness, creating the greatest contrast here to close out this new chapter.
Erdve made a very strong impression on me with their previous album, but it’s clear that the five years between that release and Epigrama have allowed the band to develop and reinforce the now striking contrast between all the elements, bound together by an abyssal heaviness. You won’t be surprised to find it near the top of connoisseurs’ year-end lists…
95/100