Memoria Vetusta III (Saturnian Poetry)

Since 1995, France's Blut Aus Nord, led by the reclusive multi-instrumentalist and chief conceptualist Vindsval — often its only member — have arguably been the most mercurial and adventurous outfit in the history of black metal's second wave, and arguably ever since. While they've had an instantly identifiable "sound" since 1995, they have never made the same record twice, despite releasing 11 full-lengths, five EPs, and two splits (among which are two trilogies). The Memoria Vetusta series began in 1996 with Fathers of the Icy Age, their second album. Its follow-up, Dialogue with the Stars, was released in 2009. While Saturnian Poetry is the third record in this particular thematic scheme, Vindsval is emphatic that this is not another trilogy. There are no industrial elements here, though they made the three 777 records, MoRt, and The Work Which Transforms God so singular. Instead, melodic black metal comprised of stacked electric guitars with their tremolo on stun and endless blastbeat drums courtesy of new member Gionata "Thorns" Potenti have been chosen to extend the concept that began on Fathers of the Icy Ages. That said, this is no mere retro offering. Vindsval's grown immensely since 1996, his manner of production is vast, articulate, and sonically massive: the layering of his guitars here (and occasionally bass) is structured so that tonally each variation — no matter how many there are — is distinctive, adding to the melodic effect. His compositions are more complex yet remain repetitive and riff-based. That the guitars (and the stellar, unrelenting drum attack) often eclipse his voice in the mix is no big deal, because the cosmic reach and emotional punch are there in spades — check "Paien." On "Tellus Mater," the guitars are spread across octaves with minor-key riffs interacting chromatically with major ones in an ever more expansive reach beyond the de rigueur boundaries of conventional black metal and toward something nearly avant-garde. A single-string lead line harmonically entwines with the tremulous riffing, unrelenting drums, and a vocal growled at who knows what. It's only tethered to earth, however tentatively, by a barely discernible bassline. "Forhist" feels like an extension, a second part — until its own powerful riff (that also contains a keyboard line) and almost folk-like, fingerpicked middle section, offer clear proof of the divide. The most radical tune here is the closer, "Metaphor for the Moon," where there are actual percussive grooves interlaced with the percussive pummeling. It's saturated with criss-crossing, spiky yet melodic guitar themes and chorale-style, clean, low-end backing vocals. Memoria Vetusta III: Saturnian Poetry is not only a worthy extension in this series, but perhaps the finest volume in it. It proves just how much creative life is left in the core approach of black metal. That said, it may be that it takes a visionary act like Blut Aus Nord to bring it out.