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Negator – Vnitas Pvritas Existentia
4.5
This band is very passionated about what they do
Making music is a passion – and I love it, when I can feel that a band is passionated about what they do. After six years, Negator is finally back – and what a return! Since their latest release, the lead singer has been diagnosed with Diplophonia: a phenomenon, where one’s vocal cords emit multiple tones simultaneously. But it certainly hasn’t knocked the lead singer out; on the contrary, it seems like there’s been put a lot of work into the vocals.
German black metal with impressions from the Nordic notes
Negator originates from Germany and the band has been around since 2003. They have previously released four albums, all with ritualistic characteristics – and so has their new album, Vnitas Pvritas Existentia, as well. There are, for an example, tracks with Athenian and Latin languages: in fact, the song, “Ritvs Sex”, is written exclusively in Latin. This is probably due to the lead singer’s interest in mythology, his extensive work with sounds and lyrics through his various band projects such as King Fear, Sanguineus and others, as well as his commitment to voice acting, like Wolfenstein II.
The band consists of a drummer, who has Keep of Kalessin on his résumé and a lead singer, who was previously a part of Dark Funeral. The sound is also Scandinavian black metal. It is clear throughout the album that they have been working with different types of vocals: there are both talking, rawer vocals, a deep growl and some hum. The extensive vocal work has also affected other parts of their music: there have probably been some experiments during rehearsal, in order to make it all play together.
Shifts in tempo and various vocal sounds
The first song that catches me, is “Prophets of Fire”, in which the intro contains a double vocal. It becomes amazingly whining and raw – like a fork being rubbed over a plate, resulting in the hairs on your arm to rise in chill with goose bumps… Then the tempo and vocals get heavier. However, there is a very short pause midway: the drums take over in a rapid pace with a beautiful depth that harmonizes with the lead singer’s growl in the last half of the song. An epic, brutal part that is periodically interrupted by various melodic pieces. It’s a track with many changes in tempo, and it’s well composed.
The first track published from the album, is “Et Verbvm Caro Factvm Est”, which starts off heavenly with a fast tempo – again with melodic pieces and a chanting chorus that also helps to finish the song off. It becomes clear again that the band uses a ritualistic-inspired setup on the album, especially with the chanting and foreign languages. Negator also made their own incense, which was included in their special limited-edition box. However, this is not a band wearing heavy cowls on stage, and their members aren’t acting like puppets either. It is a band I would really enjoy being able to experience live, as they really feel and burn for their music; I am convinced that their commitment can be felt far beyond the edge of the stage.
Hunger for improvement
“Pyroleophis” begins with lightning fast riffs and drums that receives quite a beating: this track is strong, fast and brutal. The vocals are slower than the drums blasting in the background, but it doesn’t matter at all, because it fits well anyway. Afterwards comes a passage where the pace is slowed down; the screaming is allowed to fill the space and lingers for long; it is felt all the way to the bone – right inside the depth of ourselves, where we can really feel it. It’s amazing.
Tjalve wrote this about the album to the band: ”Finally I hear hunger in Black Metal. This Album has what lacks in 99% of all other new releases. Here I find a sense of purpose, authenticity and hunger. The only thing lacking here are my guest vocals. This album is a beacon other bands of this day should navigate after” Tjalve (Svartelver, Horizon Ablaze and ex 1349)
It’s so excellent put: on the album, it is obvious that the band wants this – they love it, they use their music to communicate their messages, while still being able to play with it, in order to master it – they’re hungry for it. It is an album that plays with tempo, vocals and vocal sounds; an album that made the hairs on my arm rise and where I could feel it cut right into my bones.
All the work that has been put into learning to sing again for the lead singer, has paid off: I think the vocals on this album are in fact stronger than before. I could imagine that there will be a big development regarding the treatment of Diplophonia and the associated training! This is a great album to check out, if you already like Negator – or if you’re into Dark Funeral, Belphegor or 1349.
Tracklist:
- Temple Of Light
- Sangvis Serpentis
- Χαῖρε Φῶσ (Khaire Phos)
- Pyroleophis
- Prophets Of Fire
- Ritvs Sex
- Regnvm Spiritvs Immvndi
- Et Verbvm Caro Factvm Est
- Rite Of The Trident
- Der Ruf Der See (Bonus Track)
About the author:
Assignments: Reviews of Releases and Concerts and Interviews. Nerd on all levels (finding releases, bands and labels) - Giving the editor gray hairs...
Active: 13-12-2019 - 27-08-2022
Favorite genres: Blackened Death Metal - but listens to all kinds of metal and rock!
Unherz
Apocalyptica