Non Dvcor, Dvco

Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori. History, from certain points of view and with a close, cynical consideration, has been and continues to be a series of massacres aimed at the conquest of our evolutionary space. And if in past times this truth could be cloaked in a golden and heroic patina, for those who lived the horrors of the XX century the same cannot be said. The writings of Evola, a very controversial right-wing philosopher (too "metaphysical" to be a fascist, too "fascist" to be Aryan, too "anti-Semitic" to be anti-fascist and too "rebellious" to be authentically framed in the regime) seem to draw a line capable of being paliative for all those souls victims and executioners of the modern, industrialized war, of those men who become statistics in a collective six-zero death. On the one hand, I envy those men: the vibrant tension of the warrior capable of projecting an exquisite superhomistic spirit beyond the barbed wire, beyond the trench, who greets the Grim Reaper like an old friend. Men who saw their whole life, the sense of their being in the world as spirit and flesh exhausted in one great fire: the exaltation of an heroic tragicity. On the other hand, I observe with the disenchantment of those born from the ashes of that fire the misery of those years, the desperation of the triumph of evil, the artillery fire of the fastest century. And the same feeling of exaltation and tragedy, of splendor and ruin, of glory and decay permeates from the first to the last track of Non Dvcor, Dvco (I'm Not Led, I Lead), and in the same way, the whole Evolian philosophy.

Forte Geremia (a military building of the end of nineteenth century). July 2003. After the excellent Magnificat (which is recorded here as a compilation, but in my opinion it should be marked as an LP), here's the band born from the genius of Argento (one of the biggest names in Italian black metal) finds itself engaged in direct drive recording on this ferocious black metal full-lenght: three quarters of an hour of a black wave that with an undulating motion passes from storm to nocturnal stillness, from fury to frost, from fire to ashes.

If we exclude the instrumentals, we are talking about rather long pieces, from eight to nine minutes. Only the last one (Il Sole Di Notte E La Rivolta), just under three minutes long, is an exception. Each trace has its soul, its specific scent, and consists, as described above, in a continuous dark motion, like a stormy sea. It's a dirty, hybrid black metal: thrash metal influences, if not punk, are involved in it, with some keyboard insert that supports the roaring rhythm of the songs and gives them an epic flavor (and it's so evident in the track In Su La Vetta as much as La Torre Del Silenzio) and Argento's energetic, martial and imperative voice sings of honor, glory, courage, desire to be something beyond the flesh, beyond the specistic attachment to life and survival, trying to investigate the weight of an illustrious and glorious past destined to break in an ocean of blood and pain.

Not Dvcor, Dvco laid the roots of what would become the typical Spite Extreme Wing sound, which would follow an ascending parable in his next, extraordinary album entitled Kosmokrator (Magnificat II) and his refinement in the last LP, entitled Vltra, the same roots that would have led to the founding of the Black Metal Invitta Armata collective. An absolutely must-have album for anyone wishing to know one of the most innovative and interesting realities in Italian black metal history.

Favorite tracks: In Su La Vetta, Decadenza, La Torre Del Silenzio

This band was an accidental discovery for me, but I’ve been hooked ever since I had stumbled upon them. Since this album has not yet been reviewed I feel it’s my duty as a true black metal fan to do so. I just feel that this album is so incredible, that all black metal fans must have a listen. It's truly beyond me how this band has not received the recognition it deserves. I’m willing to go as far as call this a classic.

While it may weaken many black metal records, SEW utilizes a thrashy punk element which I find strengthens Non Dvcor, Dvco. Now I must mention I don’t like anything remotely “happy” sounding and SEW sure now how to create an ugly fucking sound whilst utilizing elements that are often found in more “upbeat” genres of music. However I must add that Non Dvcor, Dvco is not played in this way through and through but often enough to be considered an important aspect of the record. You definitely get your heavy dose of blasting dissonance and doomy breaks.

The punk or thrash sound on Non Dvcor, Dvco is mainly created by the mid-paced “skank beats” that you often hear on Misfits or even Discharge records. The only difference is S.E.W. tends to use more double bass. Another element that gives this album an unmistakable punkish sound is the vocals. They are often sung rather quickly as if trying to fit as many syllables into every measure as possible. I find this to be rather uncommon in black metal as opposed to the minimalist style vocals of bands such as Hate Forest. I enjoy both extremes equally when executed properly. I might also add that the vocals are gruff and cruel in the most traditional black metal style. Fans of Nocturno Culto “Transylvanian Hunger” era take note. The melodies are mean yet have an epic or majestic feel often in much the same way as Dissection’s early material.

As a whole what you will find on this disc is raw and angry black metal with many catchy parts, hooks and even whole songs that will cause you to pump your fist in the air. This somewhat sacrifices grimness, but honestly I wouldn’t have it any other way. I tend to like utterly grim music like Xasthur or I Shalt Become yet I find that this record is a nice break from that norm. Spite Extreme Wing’s Non, Dvcor, Dvco is that damn good.