Avichi - The Divine Tragedy Review
by Mark Hensch
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Avichi is a complex religious experience hailing from Dekalb, Illinois. This single man black metal project is the spawn of one Aamonael, a luminary of both Nachtmystium and Unholy Trinity. The name "Avichi" is derived for a Sanskrit word meaning "isolation," and refers to humans whom use mediation and achieve nirvana for selfish means. Once reaching this transcendent state, the greedy soul is supposedly in a lonely, endless trap of space---Avichi.
Complicated religious and spiritual concepts such as these have clearly influenced Avichi's first recording, 2007's The Divine Tragedy. The disc is furthermore named after Dante's classic trilogy on the soul's journey through realms of the afterlife. Aamonael combines strong theological lyricisms such as these with organic, trance-inducing black metal and plenty of medieval instrumentation. Much like current peers Deathspell Omega, Vrolok, and Reverorum ib Malacht, Avichi clearly believe in conveying the message of evil through the modus operandi of good. As such, there is something transcendent about The Divine Tragedy, akin to the revelation of a shocking cosmic truth one previously had not known.
One can almost see such a realization physically dawning in opening cut "Entrance to God." Short and meditative, the song contains little else besides the ceremonial ringing of various cymbals. Despite this, there is something metamorphic in their hollow ring, and this introduction definitely feels like the beginning of something grand.
Perhaps this grandiosity lies within first proper song "Putrification within the Eighth Sphere." "Putrification" features mesmerizing, oldschool black metal blasting behind Aamonael's ferocious, detached howls. The song likes whipping subtle chord progressions at its listeners in a confusing manner that works wonders. Throughout all this chaos and anarchy, subtle cymbal splashes are heard, like pieces of the minds puzzle clicking together into greater harmony.
"Messianic Deliverance" trades off mocking guitar tones. These sounds are like ebbing-and-flowing waves, the likes of which entrance listeners into a false sense of security. The song also recalls Deathspell Omega's disorienting work, with plenty of creepy, atonal breakdowns taking place.
"Phallic Insinuation" is the album's standout track, its sanguine tremolo-melodies causing a sort of apathetic drowsiness. This is by no means a slight to the band---rather, it shows that the structures of the songs produce a calm, relaxed state in the listener. It really opens up frightening mental vistas in a way few other bands right now can. Besides all this, the song features some atavistic stomps, the likes of which are both brutal and intelligent.
"Prayer for Release" entangles listeners in hovering, ethereal clean chords. It somehow manages a mind-boggling atmosphere of simultaneous claustrophobia and spatial freedom, no easy feat.
The wavering melodies die off, only to be reborn again in different tones on "Taedium Vitae." Not sure why, but these drugged-out tones by now are reminding me of Tool. The mesmerizing guitars are both free-flowing yet heavy, providing a smoky aura around Aamonael's eerie incantations. Slowly expanding into a glacial explosion of sound, this song uses simplicity magnificently as a means towards complexity.
"Aeonic Disintegration" begins with a third atonal clean passage, only to burst forth with a grimy flower of riffing and cymbal splashes. The song slowly grooves through winding paths of sonic trance, droning on and on with subtle variations and clever progressions.
Closing cut "Separation from the Life Principle" is easily the weirdest piece of music of them all. It is a quiet, barely discernable ringing that is both soothing and serene. Upon further reflection, one realizes it is the same tone from the start of "Entrance to God" but merely quieter. Mindf*ck ensues.
The Divine Tragedy is as such a compelling, cyclical, and confusing album. To be honest, it at first seemed too ambitious for its own good. Over time, however, I have found that its strange blend of raw, shredding music and well-placed religious thematics makes for mentally stimulating sounds. If you like your black metal intricate and intense, this is for you.
Avichi's The Divine Tragedy
1. Entrance to God
2. Putrification within the Eighth Sphere
3. Messianic Deliverance
4. Phallic Insinuation
5. Prayer for Release
6. Taedium Vitae
7. Aeonic Disintegration
8. Separation from the Life Principle
Check 'em out at www.nmbrecords.com (Numen Malevolum Barathri Records is the label owned and started by Aamonael and is Avichi's main base of operations).
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Avichi - The Divine Tragedy Rating:8.0
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