Aivvass – Spiritual Archives

Permanently on the lookout for new blood, Denny from Darkness Shall Rise Productions has released this Digipak-CD w. 8-page booklet – all available on CD, MC, two separate MLPs and Digital. We are talking of the latest discovery, a band that I was unfamiliar with before, going under the moniker of Aivvass. This was named after the non-corporeal being which Aleister Crowley claimed to have dictated his ‘Liber AL vel Legis’. Having concocted their curious amalgam in secrecy for several years this German-based quintet come out of the shadows to reveal their aptly-titled EPs Occult Rites I & II. It was a couple of years ago, while this time they released both EPs as a compilation on this 8-tracker full-length, Spiritual Archives. It takes no wonder that the obscure band`s creations are profoundly steeped in Thelemic magick and occult lore. Even the frontcover is taken from the book ‘The Equinox’ by Aleister Crowley. This beautiful artwork does justice to the musical content and its occult appearance.

While listening to this CD for the second time now, I can’t stop thinking of the band which is not afraid to experiment and blend all different genres and influences into somoething they can call their own creation. In other words; their sound is constantly oscillating between bludgeoning heavyness and acoustic serenity. Thus the compositions of Aivvass take the listener on a stunning ride between polarities. From mellow Neo-Folk, accompanied by clean singing, effortlessly intertwined with down-tuned Doom riffs, to more evocative growling of a beastial nature. Between the two poles we can also hear two predominantely mid-paced songs like the masterfully crafted “Lucifer” or “Witchcraft” unfolding a meditative quality. The atmosphere is dense and ambient, and at no point it felt like listening to two different EPs, but rather to a full album with consistency and undisputed musical and technical skills of each of the band members.

The album begins with a superb and untraditional intro, which is accompanied by some spoken phrases and a low monstrous growl. It all adds to the band’s mysticism and underlines its occult status. After this relatively short self-titled intro track comes, “Satan”. It also follows on slowly, heavy and doomy path paved forward on its predecessor. The vocals are deep and dark, while other guys are producing some of the best trance-like chords and overall consistency of each instrument. On third track “Baphomet” the vocals fall somewhere between a whisper and a moan, while instrumentaly it begins similarly to its predecessor, which means an acoustic guitar parts and some special effects. It’s especially the beginning of the song that sounds strong and with few minor different facets in their vocal delivery. Next hails “Lucifer”, yet again following more or less the same pattern where the sound is different and varied every time. I like the moment where the song breaks into electrical distortion, once again offering a different and unexpected sound. “Crucifixion” on the other hand is an instrumental track where their handling of the instruments is second to none. Next follows “Witchcraft”, the best song of the entire album! It succesfully and effectively blends the polarities of this band. It hits you with this massive wall of sound, punishing elements as the vocals return with a lower growl, accompanied later on by some chanting and harsher vocals. “Cremation of Control” finds them back in the more surreal neo-folk/postrock surroundings. Another interesting feature about this album is that it closes with a Pentagram cover “The Ghoul”, where Nathan Jochum appears as a guest vocalist. This song comes with a sludgy edge, employing both singing and snarling vocals. Furthermore I enjoyed with masmerizing and fuzzed-out guitar tone. The song suits the band perfectly!

Most recommended tracks “Baphomet” and “Witchcraft”. Thus, if you like Doom Metal, Neofolk, maybe Sheogaze and Postrock as well, you definitely should give it a try. Esp. recommended for fans of Tiamat, Agalloch, Unholy Slough, Luciferian Light Orchestra, Les Discrets etc.

More info on this particular release at https://aivvassdarknessshallrise.bandcamp.com/album/spiritual-archives-occult-rites-i-ii or just buy the album from https://darknessshallrise.de/product/aivvass-ger-spiritual-archives-cd-pre-order/?v=dd65ef9a5579