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Cuntworm > Aria des vampyr > Reviews
Cuntworm - Aria des vampyr

Nine Inch Nails Meets Mayhem - 90%

darkreif, September 7th, 2007

In recent years, the Internet has played a crucial role in expanding the Metal genre from a simple hierarchical system to a spectrum. Not only can bands play within the confines of their particular genre, but they can pull influences from other genres and create a new sound. Cuntworm have done just this. They have combined raw atmospheric Norwegian Black Metal with sleek industrial overtones, ala Nine Inch Nails.

Now these two essentially opposite genres may not seem to be the most compatible sounds to blend together but with Cuntworm’s debut release, “Aria Des Vampyr”, the band does it almost flawlessly without ever forcing the sound.

Initially, one is going to be skeptical of the album because it is not based on the idea of separate songs like most metal albums are. This album feels to be written as whole rather than put together in parts. This help creates a thick and foreboding atmosphere on the album with subtle gothic undertones and that cold dark forest feeling that Black Metal has been known for.

The entire atmosphere is accomplished with an interesting mix of Black Metal instrumental writing and synthesized noise. Grinding guitars with so much distortion that the notes are almost indiscernible and the drum machine blast beats are something I have never heard before. The combination of haunting piano lines with synthesizers is not something one is going to find easily in the world of Metal. Even the vocal duties are in a wide variety with distorted screams, spoken word, and a young woman’s voice all coming out of the fog that is created on the album. Songs like “A Cold Night In Bucharest” have an honestly scary vibe to them.

Hearing how well this album is crafted towards a concept is inspiring. Knowing that a band from Georgia in the United States can play unique Norwegian Black Metal gives me hope for the Metal genre. Cuntworm have really hit the mark with “Aria Des Vampyr” and if they can continue to give new energy to their purpose I would expect to hear plenty more from this band.

Songs to check out: “A Cold Night In Bucharest”, “Seduced By Damnation”, “The Mourning After”.