Malokarpatan - Vertumnus Caesar
A heavy metal-fueled ride through the Carpathian countryside
Invoking the feeling of a medieval adventure throughout, the latest release from Malokarpatan observes an epic journey through the lens of classic heavy and first-wave black metal.
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It doesn’t take long to suss out the intended aesthetic of the album upon glancing the cover. Astrid Bergdahl’s expert use of the brush puts forward a tone of Gothic and Medieval art. The soft edges and flattened perspective characteristic of pre-Renaissance techniques give the album an almost artifact-like quality, as if it were something created long ago. What’s more, the skewed lighting pouring through the windows on each side throws the whole image into an unearthly quality. This uncanniness is furthered along by the sharply upturned climb the passageway takes towards the horizon, further collapsing the depth of the image and casting the chamber beyond into a confused perspective of appearing as a crowded study with an expanse beyond one’s sight.
Opening with a gentle and introspective mandolin melody, the medieval tones of the artwork are immediately followed up in the music. Shortly after, a galloping riff kicks off, leaving the comfort of the study to begin the adventure. The cadence of the riffing is lifted directly from heavy metal bands like Mercyful Fate and Motörhead, so expect some compulsory head-nodding. This becomes the album’s center throughout. Every step away towards breaks of medieval folk instrumentation, atmospheric synthesizers, or even high-octane black metal riffing is immediately corrected seconds later back to upbeat guitarwork and punching drums.
Vertumnus Caesar’s biggest distinction from classic heavy metal comes in the similarly prototypical sounds of first-wave black metal. The grimy, reverberating vocals never relent for a moment of cleanliness. Whether it be breathy growls layered over buzzsaw riffs that could bring Lemmy back from the dead or the perfectly placed “BLEGH!” before firing off a stairway-laden guitar solo, HV’s voice serves as an ominous veneer to the album’s highly-energetic delivery. The drumwork is impeccable, with the riffing perfectly balanced by precise fills. Of course, there are blast beats - but they know their place. Only appearing a few times across the album, each crescendo of the drumming perfectly ushers in the climax of each track.
Truly, whether a fan of King Diamond or Master’s Hammer, Vertumnus Caesar is perfectly executed start-to-finish, both in instrumentation and aesthetic. If ever an existing metal fan is looking to wade further into the dark forest of black metal, make sure they go in wielding this finely-honed album. It’s dangerous to go alone, after all.