1914 are a Ukrainian blackened death/doom band and this is their fourth album.
It’s great to have a new album from this well-regarded band, (check out some of their past work here, here, and here). Containing 57 minutes of new material, Veribus Unitis is 1914’s most absorbing work yet.
Viribus Unitis is an album with a flowing narrative and two distinct halves. On the first, there are far less of the band’s typical doom metal influences on display. Instead, 1914 present as an exemplar of layered blackened death metal. It’s ferocious. Despite the hostility, the songs are still a study in nuanced atmosphere, melody driven by emotion, and immersive substance. These latter aspects become even more prevalent in the second half, which places a greater emphasis on atmospheric depth and doom-fuelled heaviness.
The songs are a work of blackened brutality and harrowing darkness. The soundscapes crafted by 1914 are harsh and unforgiving, yet still boast the band’s skilled songwriting, allowing them to bleakly shine with high quality lustre. There is soaring beauty and epic feeling to be found amidst the war-torn carnage. This is down to well-judged worldbuilding, showcasing 1914 successfully making use of a range of different ideas and creative tools across the record. This includes the occasional deployment of clean vocals and a series of guests, (Aaron Stainthorpe, (High Parasite/ex-My Dying Bride), is notably one of these).
1914 have refined their art to the point of mastery. Viribus Unitis is the sort of album that walks the tricky path of authenticity and accessibility with confidence and aplomb. It manages to portray real emotion, while also unleashing a potent selection of riffs, hooks, and all manner of well-crafted details. 1914 have continued their upward trend, producing what is quite possibly their best work yet.
Essential listening.
Wonderbox Metal 