Sokrovenno

De Rerum Natura

Bleak Art 2009

Black metal with a heavy reverence for nature which is manifested in the music of the Italian band, Sokrovenno.  An almost gothic feel introduces the first track, Brina before a slightly more hypnotic Nordic sounding riff dominated the flow of the song.  Katatonia-esque rhythms can be found lurking in the textures of this introductory track as well.  However a more traditional and stylistically Nordic structure is born on Ineunte Heime and Autunno's vocals sharply rasp in the melodic whirlwind.  A strong sense of coldness is imbued within the notes of the song as certain riffs shimmer like a haunting phantom.  Epic riffs rise towards darkened skies like sorrowful mountains.  The instrumental 3rd track, I, is a melancholy bit of acoustic guitarwork that musically illustrates the bond between the band and nature.  Flammantia Moenia Mundi continues with the acoustic guitar and then melds this element to cutting black metal riffing   Between each track that form the core of the album there is an acoustic piece and II is likely the best of the four as it reminds me somewhat of some of the acoustic work found on Immortal's debut album.  Incidentally my favorite track on the album quickly follows, namely Fragore with its faster black metal riffs and forlorn melodic line that adds a tragic mood to the slower passages of the song.  The black metal compositions are a little lengthy though and the repetitive character of the songwriting can make the tracks a little boring after awhile.  The album features a surprisingly full production that gives life to each instrument.  The debut from Sokrovenno is a promising work of organic black metal that fuses naturalistic elements and midtempo black metal structures into a tribute to melancholy and earthen splendor.