Verberis – The Apophatic Wilderness (Review)

This is the third album from Verberis, a black metal band from New Zealand.

I discovered Verberis on their 2022 album Adumbration of the Veiled Logos, and was very impressed. So when this new record appeared, it was with no small amount of excited interest that I hurriedly pressed play, eagerly to soak up its esoteric charms.

Across a succinct 41 minutes The Apophatic Wilderness provides us with four songs, each a world unto itself of blackened soundscapes that will draw you deeply into their worlds.

This is music that sounds twisted, corrupted, and malignant. It offers a sinuous journey into the heart of the underworld’s furthest depths, offering experiences that terrify and inspire in equal measure. Verberis sound captivated by their ritualistic rendering of their artistic vision, in thrall to sentient darkness, and utterly immersed in their worldbuilding. This translates to the music as a passion-rich exploration of eerie vistas and harrowing spectacles.

Verberis are really good at creating music that’s absorbing and intricate, yet surprisingly catchy too in places. Many of the album’s hooks are subtle, taking time to build and settle into your brain, yet some of the riffs simply standout early on, and only strengthen in their impact as you hear them more and more. The songs are ripe with spectral atmosphere, which is built and sustained well over the lengthy songs. They’re detailed compositions too, with a lot of moving components that work disharmoniously, leading to music that’s greater than the sum of its parts. All elements of The Apophatic Wilderness are essential and well-delivered, and any could be singled out as a key driver, but I feel compelled to mention the bass guitar, as this frequently adds real value to the material in ways that no other instrument is able to mimic.

Once again Verberis have delivered an impressive and enthralling record. If otherworldly dissonant black metal appeals to you then The Apophatic Wilderness is one for your delectation. Don’t miss this underground gem.