Cleveland, Ohio’s Satanic/Occult rockers Ancient VVisdom are back with their fourth album, 33 (Magic Bullet), and the brothers Nathan and Michael Jochum have added bass player Connor Metsker to their line-up.Continue reading
Tag Archives: Ancient VVisdom
October 13th, 2017 Metal Releases
Music Video: Ancient Vvisdom – We Are Damnation
Occult death rock/folk metallers Ancient Vvisdom is streaming the music video for “We Are Damnation,” off of their new album Sacrificial, out now via Magic Bullet Records. Watch it below.
Catch them on their North American tour with Sólstafir.
Apr 22: The Shop – Brooklyn, NY
Apr 23: L’ail’ze – Montreal, QC
Apr 24: Mavericks – Ottawa, ON
Apr 25: Garrison – Toronto, ON
Apr 26: Bug Jar – Rochester, NY
Apr 27: 31st St Pub – Pittsburgh, PA
Apr 28: Ace Of Cups – Columbus, OH
Apr 29: Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI
Apr 30: TBA – Milwaukee, WI
May 01: Nether Bar – Minneapolis, MN
May 03: Reggies – Chicago, IL
May 04: Riot Room – Kansas City, MO
May 05: Larimer – Denver, CO
May 06: Bar Deluxe – Salt Lake City, UT
May 08: The Pin – Spokane, WA
May 09: Rickshaw – Vancouver, BC
May 10: El Corazon – Seattle, WA
May 12: Oakland Opera – San Francisco, CA
May 13: Los Globos – Los Angeles, CA
May 14: Pub Rock Live – Scottsdale, AZ
May 15: Sister – Albuquerque, NM
May 16: Sons Of Hermann – Fort Worth, TX
May 17: Red 7 – Austin, TX
May 18: One Eyed Jacks – New Orleans, LA
May 20: Strange Matter – Richmond, VA
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Ancient Vvisdom and Sólstafir Book Upcoming North American Tour
Occult death rockers Ancient Vvisdom will be touring with Sólstafir on an upcoming North American tour. They are touring in support of Sacrficial, out via Magic Bullet Records. Produced by founding vocalist Nathan Opposition, engineered by Travis Bonner at The Diamond Factory Studios in Austin and mastered by Paul Logus (Anthrax, Clutch, Hellyeah, Shadows Fall et al) at Taloowa Mastering, Sacrificial finds the collective at their most eloquent conjuring dark, penetrating neofolkian psalms of unholiness that are at once melodic, catchy and maniacally addictive.
ANCIENT VVISDOM w/ Sólstafir:
Apr 22: The Shop – Brooklyn, NY
Apr 23: L’ail’ze – Montreal, QC
Apr 24: Mavericks – Ottawa, ON
Apr 25: Garrison – Toronto, ON
Apr 26: Bug Jar – Rochester, NY
Apr 27: 31st St Pub – Pittsburgh, PA
Apr 28: Ace Of Cups – Columbus, OH
Apr 29: Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI
Apr 30: TBA – Milwaukee, WI
May 01: Nether Bar – Minneapolis, MN
May 03: Reggies – Chicago, IL
May 04: Riot Room – Kansas City, MO
May 05: Larimer – Denver, CO
May 06: Bar Deluxe – Salt Lake City, UT
May 08: The Pin – Spokane, WA
May 09: Rickshaw – Vancouver, BC
May 10: El Corazon – Seattle, WA
May 12: Oakland Opera – San Francisco, CA
May 13: Los Globos – Los Angeles, CA
May 14: Pub Rock Live – Scottsdale, AZ
May 15: Sister – Albuquerque, NM
May 16: Sons Of Hermann – Fort Worth, TX
May 17: Red 7 – Austin, TX
May 18: One Eyed Jacks – New Orleans, LA
May 20: Strange Matter – Richmond, VA
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Roses Never Fade – Devil Dust
Nick Fiction (aka Nick Brewer), the only remaining member from the last Roses Never Fade album, is joined by Nathan “Nate” Opposition of Ancient VVisdom fame (because now AVV have, like, distortion and stuff he clearly needs another acoustic outlet), and The Way To Light’s Austin Rathmell with the intention of producing brooding acoustic neofolk.
There is no percussion here, no other instrumentation, just a pure, minimalist strumming and vocal methodology, that endeavours to evoke a monastic, empty church feel.
Starting out with some annoying swooshing noises (and little else) that fill the whole of the five minutes (!) of opening track ‘To Valleys And Shadows’, the second Roses Never Fade album, Devil Dust (Neuropa) is clearly trying to set an ambience of reflection and prepare the listener for a melancholy moment of introspection, a mood that isn’t achieved either on the introduction, or once the album proper commences.
A pattern soon emerges as tracks directly alternate between a simple, uncomplicated acoustic picking interspersed and shrouded with embellishing motifs and backed with oh so earnest whispers, and harmony vocal songs over strumming. Unfortunately neither approach is fully effective, especially once the pattern is noted, as neither the music nor the vocal is dark or interesting enough to draw the required atmosphere. There is no being enveloped into a state of other, or past, worldliness, such as the induced meditative mental journey that Ulver’s Kveldssanger (Head Not Found) inspires.
Whether seeking to yield a particular emotive or reflective response, or simply playing unassuming songs, Devil Dust doesn’t really achieve anything. At its best, neofolk, or rather acoustic neofolk (for neofolk is more a shared ideology than any real musical consistency, of which the Cold Meat Industry and industrial/dark wave inspired works of artists like Blood Axis, Ordo Rosario Equilibrio and Amber Asylum are the more interesting and suggestive) at the very least induces emotions, sympathies and reactions. Devil Dust just happens, really, and while it’s a quite nice when it’s on, that’s it. It doesn’t emote, or inspire much beyond apathy or boredom.
4.5/10
STEVE TOVEY
Ancient VVisdom – Sacrificial
It has only been a couple of years since occult inspired Swedish heavy metal band Ghost BC rocketed out of obscurity and cast their shadow over any similarly aspiring band in occult rock. It seems that Ancient VVisdom have also found themselves under the influence of the Swedish titans with their latest LP, Sacrificial (Magic Bullet). While the music remains largely unaltered from previous work, it’s Nathan Opposition’s vocals that have a distinct twist of Papa Emeritus to them in this release. The harsher edges and ominous harmonies have been replaced by soft reverb-doused phrasing and while the difference may be subtle, it’s unmistakable.
Opening up with an acoustic intro, Ancient VVisdom carry through the distinctly organic sound from older work. Contrasting this, the distorted guitars in Sacrificial lean heavily on chugging for many of the riffs, which although not entirely well integrated does add a satisfying drive that previous albums lacked. Many of the riffs and choruses retain a similar format, however the songs themselves do still seem to offer some surprises with ‘Blood Offering’ and ‘Devils Work’ throwing the listener into some mid-tempo riffing, while ‘I am your Sacrifice’ presents a Megadeth-esque bass intro.
Both enticing and enchanting Sacrificial captures the listener with its satisfying mixture of heaviness and melody. While the sound has certainly taken a stronger step towards the most traditional occult metal style, this record has proved it is certainly not a bad move from the band. With strong riffs, a great mix and catchy vocal melodies, Sacrificial would have the Devil himself tapping away to the odd track.
While it could never be described as a masterpiece, it is a very welcome addition to any car stereo or downtime playlist.
8.0/10
CAITLIN SMITH
Ancient VVisdom To Release Third Album, Sacrificial, This Fall
Long before the term ‘Occult Rock’ was a thing, there was Ancient VVisdom (a.k.a. AVV). News has come down that the band will release their third full-length album this fall on Magic Bullet Records, entitled Sacrificial. With an unorthodox style, enchanting songcraft, and poetic lyrics cloaked in dark rituals and emotion, the band has made an impact on record and in a live setting.
From The Press Release:
Cleveland, Ohio’s occult death rock conjurors, Ancient VVisdom, will release their third full-length, entitled Sacrificial, later this Fall via Magic Bullet Records.
On Sacrificial, Ancient VVisdom delivers ten tracks that continue to push the boundaries of both death rock and neo-folklore while retaining the memorable simplicity and melodic catchiness present on their previous, critically-lauded manifestations. Produced by founding vocalist Nathan Opposition, engineered by Travis Smith at The Diamond Factory Studios in Austin and mastered by Paul Logus (Anthrax, Clutch, Hellyeah, Shadows Fall et al) at Taloowa Mastering in New York, Sacrificial fuses all the prime qualities of the likes of Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Quicksand, into a wholly anthemic album of dark and light.
Thematically, Sacrificial delves further into singer Nathan Opposition’s personal ascent into the unanticipated enlightenment of exploring humanity’s universal darkness. Whereas traditional lore dealing with the occult, paganism, and Satan tends to be heavy-handed (and often synonymous with a proverbial descent away from any sort of positive self-affirmation), Sacrificial spins a slant wherein “down” becomes “up.” In Opposition’s world, confronting one’s own demons and humanity’s primordial penchant toward chaos and destructive ritual will ultimately pass each seeker through a threshold unto which deeper knowledge, sage wisdom, and self-realization envelop one’s consciousness.
Comments Opposition, “Where there is chaos you will find us. Where there is disorder, others find discomfort but I find salvation. Lead me not unto anything. I am my own.This album will enlighten the fools and give the enlightened something to listen to.”
Musically, Opposition and his brother, Michael the Dark Angel, continue to accomplish what countless musicians frustratingly attempt to conquer in their songwriting: simple, memorable riffs and melodies that stand the test of time. Each hymn comprising Sacrificial is hummable and infectious. Like the best practitioners in any field, the brothers make it look and sound easy to the point where everyone listening thinks they can do it (spoiler alert: very few can ever do it). New addition Mitch Keith Morris wastes no time in making his mark on Sacrificial, channeling deep primitive and tribal percussive influences into the empowering sound that is unmistakably Ancient VVisdom.
Sacrificial Tack Listing:
1. Rise Of An Ancient Evil
2. Chaos Will Reign
3. Blood Offering
4. Devils Work
5. Blind Leading The Blind
6. Worm Ridden Skull
7. I Am Your Sacrifice
8. City Of Stone
9. We Are Damnation
10. Higher Into The Black Flames
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