Album Review: VIRVUM - Video!

I am extremely privilaged to get an oportunity to listen to the new album ad rigorem from one of Switzerland's finest monsters of mayhem Virvum - coming in very strong with their sophomore effort "Illuminance". I find this album extremely progressive. It is in the same strain as Intervals. The interplay between the rhythm and lead guitars are astonishing. It's dark gloomy and everything kick's in with furious power. I'm really surprised I haven't heard of this band. It's like Veil of Maya and Intervals had a baby and named it Virvum. The epic ambiance coupled with furious drums and some pretty damn witty guitar work. make this album such a pleasure for the discerning ear. The shifting textures and changing tempos are abrupt at times and subtle at others but regardless, the whole composition sounds seamless and natural.

The title track "Illuminance" is fantastic. It is an unrelenting overture for the entire record. The changes I hear on this are reminiscent of what I enjoy hear from the legends Rush and at the same time. The arpeggiating lead guitar over the half note chord changes that spontaneously erupt make this record so much fun to listen to.

The dark interludes are astonishing and catch the listener off guard on the track "Tentacles Of the Sun" then erupt into ambient glory. The bass solo is as intense as it is mesmerizing.

These guys have dialed into a sound that all their own with many colors and shapes. I can tell that the brains behind this project focused a great deal on composition as well as the pre-production. Every musician on this record is extremely talented. The precision is astonishing. This is certainly how a progressive death metal record should sound. This band is releasing this beast out into the world September 16, 2016.



Pre-orders for Illuminance in a variety of formats and bundles are available here:
ORDER NOW!

Virvum is:

Bryan Berger - Vocals
Nic Gruhn - Guitars
Groftoby Koelman - Guitars
Diego Morenzoni - Drums



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Tags:  Virvum, Ad Rigorem, Illuminance  

Brian "JR" Biggerstaff    September 15, 2016