Ancient VVisdom – 33

[schema type=”review” name=”Ancient VVisdom – 33″ description=”Label: Argonauta Records” author=”Basak Günel” pubdate=”2017-10-13″]

Ancient VVisdom is an occult rock band hailing from Austin, Texas. Founded in 2009, the band’s first release was an EP called “Inner Earth Inferno” in which they collaborated with the infamous Charles Manson (eek!). They have  released 4 full-length albums so far with the latest one titled “33” which has been released recently.

This interesting piece consists of 11 songs and lasts 33 minutes so it got my interest at the first glimpse. I gotta say I am still new with respect to the occult concepts as I have a lot to learn but whenever I hear albums like this, I either get hooked or I leave it… with “33”, it was a bit different and there were mixed feelings.

From the first intro and the opening track “Light of Lucifer”, the album will give you the impression that it’s not a typical occult rock album but the band chose to go on a folk/acoustic path this time and I am glad they did! The first few songs really got me hooked and I gotta say this approach really fits to the atmosphere. Fans of this genre might automatically think of King Dude or early Ghost when they spin the record. As a matter of fact, I see the first half as a King Dude and early Ghost crossover. The listener will experience the calming side of occult rock with “33”… and this is what makes this record quite interesting and alluring.

Apart from the acoustic approach of the band, the second half of the album delivers us harsher songs in which the band focuses more on e-guitars and even experiments with growls (“33”). Although I liked the first half a lot more, I liked how the second half delivers some surprises and twists.

One thing I would maybe criticize is the songwriting and lyrics in the album. Surely, I am not talking about their concepts or vision; in the genre of occult rock, the concepts are quite obvious and mostly interesting for me but from a lyrical and songwriting perspective, I think that the band could have been more original and less predictable. The music and elements are generally really dark but beautiful; if the songwriting could have been a bit more mysterious and dark, this album would have been pretty unique! Furthermore, I got the impression that the band is maybe still experimenting with their style and trying to find where they stand. There is no doubt they have potential and that they can deliver catchy but dark tunes but in a genre like occult rock, I think that they can improve certain elements in their sound to stand out in the crowd. Definitely recommended to the lovers of this genre.

Highlights: In The Name of Satan, The Great Beast

Tracklist: 01. Ascending Eternally 02. Light of Lucifer 03. In the Name of Satan 04. True Will 05. The Infernal One 06. Summoning Eternal Light 07. Rise Fallen Angel 08. 33 09. The Great Beast 10. Lux 11. Dispelling Darkness

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