Ne Obliviscaris
www.myspace.com/neobliviscaris
An australian band that you will like if you're not gay. Not the typical australian redneck metal. Instead this is some sort of proggy black metal with violin.
I found the band through
www.myrrthronth.de and here is their review:
Ahhh, an extensive break can be so refreshing! No exhausting visits to the netherworlds of mediocracy and outright crap, instead all the time in the world to search for the gems out there and giving them my undivided attention. Treasure hunting takes us to Australia this time around, that odd continent full of sheep, strange animals and even stranger Australians - whose reputation among friends of the more extreme kinds of music has largely been built (or spoilt, depending on personal preferences) by bands such as Sadistik Exekution or Bestial Warlust.
Musically far away from these widely noted countrymen, a young outfit from Melbourne is now setting out to teach all those people a lesson (or two) who like to decorate their Black Metal with attributes along the lines of "symphonic", "progressive" or "avantgarde". According to the band, "The Aurora Veil" is just a demo. But that is an act of incredible understatement you shouldn't get confused by: The three songs on the CD are simply breathtaking and more exciting than pretty much anything this vaguely defined genre has ever produced, and I mean
ever.
Of course Ne Obliviscaris are not quite as revolutionary as some of the classics, but they do offer something fresh, and they do it on an impressive level. It is in fact quite staggering how a band's first proper recording can reach a level of perfection that 99% of the rest of the world can only dream of, no matter how often they may try. That's a bold statement? Certainly. But first and foremost a well-deserved one.
To get all this airy praise on somewhat firmer ground, how about a round of namedropping: "Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk", "La Masquerade Infernale", Cynic, Warren Ellis. The first reference - as everybody will be able to guess - points towards the demo's Black Metal foundation. The way "Tapestry Of The Starless Abstract" bursts from the speakers - even Emperor during their prime couldn't have done it much better. From Arcturus, Ne Obliviscaris have inherited a sense for the dramatic and theatrical, a certain grandeur. The singing alone is so varied (and well-executed!) that the almost cliché "Garm is better" will have to be saved for some other occasion. On top of that, the violin turns NeO into something outstanding and truly unique. Of course not by simply being around: Other than common in Metal, the strings go beyond the stereotypical roles of moaning melancholy machine or simple folk fiddle. Often the violin is actually some kind of second lead guitar, which results in captivating instrumental duels. In contrast to that, the calmer parts of "Forget Not" remind me of what Warren Ellis does with the Bad Seeds, or of what he has recorded for the soundtrack of "The Proposition". Which leaves Cynic as the last of the musical landmarks listed above.
Of course I could just point out the jazzy bass, but the Cynic comparison is more of a gut feeling, not a cold fact. It is that feeling of constant flow even in the most technical parts what I have always particularly liked about "Focus". And "The Aurora Veil" has that flow; unstoppable, off-worldly.
Of course, there should be a 10 under these lines, no doubt about that. Even trying hard I can't find anything to complain about. But out of egoism alone I don't want to believe that Ne Obliviscaris have shown us all they have to offer. No, even if it's a lot to ask, I hope for an even more brilliant full-length album. Thus I'll hold on to that last point for the time being, let's simply call it "motivational underscoring".
