I was impressed and ravished when I first listened to Lupercalia, the first full-length by Italian Selvans, an atmospheric folk black metal band from Abruzzo formed in 2014.
Lupercalia follows in the tracks of the previous and universally acclaimed debut EP Clangores Plenilunio. Lupercalia marks a step forward and shows that the band is now really mature: the album is a perfect combination of melodies inspired by Italian folk music and atmospheric black metal. The band uses in fact several traditional instruments, in addition to orchestral arrangements mostly made with synths: flutes, pipes, mandolins. The whole is amalgamated in an effective and compact way, despite the songs being long and sometimes a bit pompous; in this way Selvans never lose their straightforward approach and keep an intense and furious feeling at the same time. The lyric themes tap into Italian pagan folklore and “Hirpi Sorani” and “Scurtchin” are in Italian. Two more strong points are the excellent musicianship and the production.
To conclude, a highly recommended masterpiece.
Notes:
Lupercalia was released on October 19 2015 on Avantgard Music.
Personnel:
Sethlans Fulguriator: Guitars, Bass
Selvans Haruspex: Keyboards, Traditional instruments, Vocals, Programming
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
Lupercalia follows in the tracks of the previous and universally acclaimed debut EP Clangores Plenilunio. Lupercalia marks a step forward and shows that the band is now really mature: the album is a perfect combination of melodies inspired by Italian folk music and atmospheric black metal. The band uses in fact several traditional instruments, in addition to orchestral arrangements mostly made with synths: flutes, pipes, mandolins. The whole is amalgamated in an effective and compact way, despite the songs being long and sometimes a bit pompous; in this way Selvans never lose their straightforward approach and keep an intense and furious feeling at the same time. The lyric themes tap into Italian pagan folklore and “Hirpi Sorani” and “Scurtchin” are in Italian. Two more strong points are the excellent musicianship and the production.
To conclude, a highly recommended masterpiece.
Notes:
Lupercalia was released on October 19 2015 on Avantgard Music.
Personnel:
Sethlans Fulguriator: Guitars, Bass
Selvans Haruspex: Keyboards, Traditional instruments, Vocals, Programming
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
