A new force is brewing in Zurich, Swizterland. Active since 2007, Virvum are no strangers to the metal scene, but they are far from being known in most circles. I love underground music...well, obviously. I wouldn't spend so much time writing here if I didn't. But what I'm trying to say is that I love little niche bands and all of the creativity that comes from being unbridled legions of creativity that don't have to answer to a an overbearing label (or public for that matter). Even so, at some point credit must be paid where it is due; and if anyone is deserving of some accolades and an extended reach it's Virvum.
From the moment I heard "Ad Rigorem," I knew I had to review this album. It was a necessity. Everything that I have been loving about releases from The Ritual Aura, Irreversible Mechanism, and The Zenith Passage is perfectly represented here on Illuminance. Going back to my old standby metaphor, if there were a videogame stat slider from progressive death metal to technical death metal, Virvum would land right smack dab in the middle. The guitars. The f#@king guitars, man! One really need only listen to the 10 minute closing epic of "II A Final Warming Shine - Ascension And Trespassing" to recognize the mastery of both melodic storytelling and individual proficiency with an instrument.
I think that the death growls and occasional clean vocals on this album are performed with great finesse and strong production, but this album could easily stand just as high without them. So much is said between the lines with the ridiculously fast bass play and endless guitar sweeps. This is made clear right from the beginning with the largely instrumental intro, "The Cypher Supreme." But like I said, it's not just about the sheer speed and number of notes: it's about how every single one of those notes seems to be painstakingly chosen to convey ideas and draw the listener in. Whether it's a sudden break of mathy chugging or a full-on spiritual experience via effects-laden shredding, you are going to feel something. I'm on the cusp of using the word "psychodelic" at times, as dropping acid to this album wouldn't be all that unlike doing the same to a Hendrix record. Similar imagery...different approach.
A damn fine album. A damn fine album, indeed. I would have picked this one up for the aforementioned "Ad Rigorem" and "Tentacles of the Sun" alone, but with each listen I find it harder and harder to play favorites. All around impressive perfomances backed by thoughtful songwriting and a grasp of the bigger picture make Illuminance another must-listen of 2016. It has plenty of competetition in the field, especially with that Hannes Grossman album fresh out this very month, but I am still confident that with the right coverage Virvum could become another household name in both the tech death and progressive death camps. Tell everyone.