Anomalie – Visions (2017)

Continuing with their mission of pushing musical boundaries to deliver some of the most disarming songs ever written, today we have Anomalie’s third full-length release titled “Visions”. Slowly refining the band’s music over the years, the band’s mastermind, Marrok, manages to deliver seven visionary tracks that ooze of melancholy and brutality. If you are a fan of modern Post-Black Metal, this is definitely one of the albums you don’t want to miss in 2017.

Instantly setting a very somber and melancholic mood with “Vision I: Towards the Sun”, the band warms up with acoustic guitars and eerie vocal arrangements, slowly building up to crushing riffs and mournful vocals. Wasting to time, the band delivers one of their best songs ever with the brilliant “Vision II: The Wanderer”. Perfectly combining aggressive drumming and weeping guitar leads, this track has a very interesting Doomy vibe that perfectly blends with the super catchy riffs and tempo changes.

Focusing more on atmospheric elements, “Vision III: A Monument” transports the listener on an 11-minute journey through acoustic passages, melodic sections and trippy vocal arrangements. Perfectly blending aggression with melancholy, we are treated to intense songs like “Vision IV: Illumination” and “Vision V: Starless Nights”, both tracks showcase the drumming skills of Lukas Schlintl of Bifröst fame, and the very lively bass guitar lines courtesy of Thomas Dornig, live bassist of Harakiri for the Sky.

Continuing the flow of masterpiece, the band unleashes “Vision VI: White Forest”, a very punishing song that builds up with instrumental passages and delivers a good mix of clean and aggressive vocals. Closing with the most haunting track in this release, “Vision VII: One with the Soil”, Anomalie leaves the listener on a high note thanks to the eerie female vocals (courtesy of Heike Langhans) perfectly paired with such an emotional track. Overall, “Visions” is one killer release that showcases Marrok’s unique talents in making truly emotional and devastating music. If you are a fan of bands like Harakiri for the Sky, Nocte Obducta, Heretoir, and Agrypnie, this is one album you don’t want to miss.

Label: Art of Propaganda

Release: March 17th, 2017

Genre: Post Black Metal

Country: Austria