Release
date: July 28th
2017. Label: Wasted State Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Band Members:
Victor Vicart - Guitar,
Vocals, Keys
Dan Barter - Guitar &
Vocals
Dudley Tait - Drums
Allan Paterson - Bass
Guest Vocals
Jenni Sneddon - Vocals
(Edenfall)
Asheran –
Tracklisting
The Crimson Path
Viridian Bloom
Thirst
Descent of the Asheran
Sunset's Grace
Rite of the Seven
Mournings
Edenfall
Scion
Review
To achieve something
new and vibrant in the world of metal is hard. Yet DVNE clearly
succeed with just that in their latest effort Asheran. Songs layered
with vocal harmonies, growls and heavy down-tuned instrumentation
makes this an instant win.
The vocal delivery is
something that truly sets DVNE apart from other similar outfits.
While it's hard to not draw comparisons to the trio of singers in
Mastodon, Victor and Dan never tread on old ground. High soaring
choruses and serene verses only to be followed with an aggressive
growl as seen in Viridian Bloom is what makes this music an absolute
joy to listen too. Diversity and dynamics is key, and DVNE knows
this.
The album is produced
in a way that it easily holds its own when held next to other
hallmarks in the genre. No easy feat, but the clarity and presence of
the drums along with crisp guitars and a low rumbling bass makes
Asheran pure sonic bliss.
High points for me is
the bad-ass mix, highlighted when the band slows down and clears up,
such as in tracks like Thirst and Edenfall. This is where DVNE is at
their best and make it clear that their years of efforts are paying
off in their songwriting.
It's impossible to not
drop your jaw at some of the riffs contained within Asheran. Rite of
the Seven Mournings deliver a black metal inspired frenzied dissonant
flurry of chords, soon to be followed by what can only be described
as an epic bridge where they slow down and bring total YOB-worship to
the forefront.
The number of times
where i sat back in my chair listening to Asheran, wanting to get up
and clap my hands after a song ended is embarrassingly high.
Had I not heard Elder's
Reflections of a Floating World before hearing this, I probably would
have crowned this my album of the year. Mastodonian
post-metal/sludge/doom at it's finest, listen to it at all costs.
Words by Simon
Ohlsson
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