This is the second album from international extreme metal band Vltimas.
If ever a band was going to have the supergroup tag applied to it, it’s Vltimas. Brought to us by current and ex-members of bands such as Aura Noir, Cryptopsy, Mayhem, Morbid Angel, and Nader Sadek, you know that a lot of experience has gone into Epic.
Epic is a powerhouse of extreme metal, presenting as a particularly charismatic and idiosyncratic form of blackened death metal. Lasting a lean 37 minutes, Epic is the perfect length for this sort of release, providing just enough characterful heaviness to leave the listener wanting more.
The songs are direct, bold, and compelling. The music is infused with an energetic immediacy that’s vibrant, despite still being a dark style overall. It’s not necessarily simplistic though, as the technical skill of the band members is high, and there’s a fair amount of intricacy and creative composition in the songwriting.
This is an album that’s meant to be experienced as a whole, yet each track is strong in its own right. There’s depth and longevity that come to light over time, but the songs are also packed with hooks and engaging riffs and drumming. The well-crafted songs know how to draw you in with their appealing veneer, while also ensuring that you stick around by drawing you deeper into their depths.
The iconic vocals of ex-Morbid Angel singer David Vincent are welcome to hear once more, and on Epic he puts the emphasis on the more individual side of his voice. His performance is strong, delivering aggressive vocals and semi-clean singing that not only sound good, but that make use of catchy rhythms and patterns. He works with the music well, fitting in closely, while also acting as a natural focal point.
Epic is a strong and accomplished collection of songs, from people that know exactly how to put together a quality extreme metal album.
Very highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 