The world isn’t flooded with background information or knowledge surrounding this black metal outfit, Experior Obscura, although we do know that the genius behind the band, Nefastus, can often be seen moonlighting in different guises for a pick and mix of Italian thrash and black metal outfits. Nefastus has now unleashed his latest opus, ‘Iter In Nebula’, upon us and he is ably assisted on the drums by the beast simply known as R.
‘Iter In Nebula’ is built around a mere 7 tracks, but they are more than your average hit and run type affairs, most of the tracks clock in at a solid 5+ minutes, there are even 2 of the songs breaking the 10 minute barrier, the opener ‘Trauma’ at 11:16 and the closing track on the album, ‘The Time Of The Stars’, measuring a gargantuan 16:19.
‘Iter In Nebula’ is primitive and bleak yet strikes you head on with aggression and rawness that we have come to expect from black metal outfits. R is an accomplished employee and beats each track into submission with his precision timing and power ridden drum work throughout the whole composition. Nefastus’ vocals remain the true unpolished diamond in the rough, and he screams and cries with such venom, ferocity and hatred you can do nothing but conjure up images of torture and depression to accompany the maniacal vocal works.
The album has a variety of soul within the body, pieces can be laborious and methodical as utilised on ‘The Time Of The Stars’, mid-tempo or simply out and out fast and uncomplicated. They even tread all of these boards at some point in the release. I do, however, feel that at times the album is just a little too doom heavy for my tastes, but some will see this as a positive and luxury rather than the negative slant that I just can’t seem to hurdle cleanly over.
Nefastus is a genius with his brand of a one man army, and to be able to offer such diversity within his musical talents, submitting vocals, fretwork from both the bass and the six strings, as well as programming for the album, doesn’t come lightly and he shows some real intent with this brand of blackened atmospheric embryonic power.
This one is perfect to stick on when the rain is lashing down and the skies have darkened all around you and you are craving the need to be transported to a place of calmness and tranquillity whilst still desiring the sharp edge of ferocity and anger. Open yourself up to this and get ready to be transported to the desolate forests and snow laden mountainous landscapes, and you may well have found a new gem to furnish your world.
(7/10 Phil Pountney)
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