ALBUM REVIEW: The Path of Seven Sorrows – The Scars In Pneuma
Although it may all sound the same to the uninitiated, black metal is one of the most diverse sub-genres in heavy music, and has grown and evolved into numerous different strands since the iconic Norwegian style of the ’90s. From the shoegaze blended style of DEAFHEAVEN and MØL, to the subdued and delicate, yet also triumphant and visceral atmospheric black metal popularised by WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM in the mid-2000s and the more melodic, but equally dark and viscous style of WATAIN, ROTTING CHRIST and MGŁA incorporating contrasting influences from doom metal, old-school heavy metal, folk music and even classical music, black metal in 2019 is as varied a landscape as any other sub-genre. Italy’s THE SCARS IN PNEUMA fall into the latter camp, and their debut, The Path Of Seven Sorrows, is a triumphant offering.
Initially formed as mastermind Lorenzo Marchello’s solo project in 2017, the lineup was eventually completed when accomplished guitar player Francesco Lupi and multifaceted percussionist Daniele Valseriati later joined the ranks. Primarily, the band take musical influence from DISSECTION, EMPEROR, BE’LAKOR and BLUT AUS NORD, fiery and defiant in nature. The music presented here is direct and precise, bold in riffs and strengthened by superb instrumentation. More celebratory than many of their peers, the band are uncompromising in their delivery, and the result if surprisingly joyous.
Devotion opens the album in utterly superb fashion, making it abundantly clear this is a band with an ambition worthy of marvel. From here until the final moments of Constellations, the band are on explosive form. Album highlight, the fittingly titled Spark To Fire To Sun builds and builds throughout, with the NWOBHM leads providing a jubilant contrast to their crawling menace. Make no mistake, the band are capable of producing genuinely evil-sounding music, but the album’s nature appears to rejoice in its victories rather than wallow in misanthropy. Despite the obvious doom influence, which could lead one to believe the album deals primarily with sorrow, it instead provides a contrasting counterpart, and provides enough to satisfy the most hateful and embittered of black metal fans.
Lyrically is also a point of interest where THE SCARS IN PNEUMA stride from the pack. Everyone with even the most passing interest in black metal is entirely familiar with all the tropes, and they seemingly haven’t changed since 1985. Acceptable topics include misanthropy, war, death, suicide, self-hatred, destruction, the natural world (but only woodland and mountains), and perhaps most importantly of all, Satan himself. Nonesuch themes appear of The Path of Seven Sorrows, as the band instead deal with themes such as internal struggle, personal regrets and the passing of time. These being topics more often dealt with by THE GET UP KIDS than MAYHEM, one would be forgiven for assuming there could be an uncomfortable juxtaposition. In reality, the triumphant gleam of the music suits it exceptionally well, and the lyrical narrative is endearing rather than alienating.
The band have managed to put together a stellar debut album, rich in melody and daring in scope. Since its inception, there has scarcely been a weak era for black metal. It may not always be the hot commodity in the eyes of the mainstream, but it’s kept alive underground, and it continues to evolve. With bands like THE SCARS IN PNEUMA around, the future looks promising, and The Path of Seven Sorrows is a superb statement of intent.
Rating: 8/10
The Path Of Seven Sorrows is due for release February 8th via Promethean Fire.
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