It’s safe to say that I’ve never heard of Italy’s Dawn of a Dark Age until now. Ver Sacrum mixes two genres that I love: Black Metal and Jazz. Vittorio Sabelli is an ubër talented mofo, and it’s his warm-as-butter Clarinet that elevates this album to Avantgarde status.

Ver Sacrum marks nine albums since 2014, and, as I said, this is my first time hearing them. Ever. Four tracks in 40:21, and let me tell you it’s a wild ride. “Il voto infranto (L’ira di Mamerte)” is track numero uno, and right away there’s a haunting vibe that permeates through the eight-minute song. Some scattered blasting, mixed with smooth Jazz clarinet, makes the segue into the eleven-minute “Il consiglio degli anziani (L’oracolo),” featuring vicious riffing and battering ram drums. This is more of a classic Black Metal track, with more clarinet than you can shake a stick at.

“Il rito della consacrazione” veers into DSBM territory with a droning riff that gets your head moving right from the get-go. New vocalist Ignazio Cuga, aka Brusiòre has a powerful roar that adds a primal tone to the wall of sound being churned out.

Final (and longest track) “Venti anni dopo: la partenza (Nascita della nazione sannita)” is another mid-paced crusher, diving into some lush keyboards and a striding beat that moves like a lumbering beast through a haunted forest. This music is stirringly beautiful and savage at the same time, and I’m all here for it.

If you’re looking for something dynamic and a bit different, then I recommend giving Dawn of a Dark Age Ver Sacrum a listen; if you already were a fan to begin with, then I’m preaching to the choir. Subsequently, if you like Agalloch, Wolves In The Throne Room, Primordial, Saor, White Ward, then Dawn of a Dark Age is going to be right up your tree. Do your ears and favor and pick this album up, you won’t regret it.

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