Sepulcrum is the second record of Italian Urna . Nevertheless I actually hear for the first time of Urna's existence with this CD, which probably is deplorable. Than what you find on this record, is an extremely intensive and very obscure material barely embracing in some words. ATMF's information flyer describes it stylistically as “Experimental Funeral Doom Black Metal”, what definitely is an unwieldy term but matching.

As expected, Sepulcrum starts with Ab vita morte sombre and intensely slow. The song gradually enhances, while isolated elements, some slow remaining riffs getting louder. Meanwhile an exceedingly slow and deep singing is heard in the background; thereby you factually can't speak of a singing. It's rather a deep, dark distorted voice sounding aloft from elsewhere abysses. Ab vita morte continually heightens, riffing getting faster and more compact as a powerful drumming inserts. After his entrance, thoroughly is passed as Funeral Doom, follows a calm passage that you can describe as Dark Ambient indeed. Dark sounds and noises create an oppressive sound pattern. After some ten minutes it continues with a hammering, fast and mechanic seeming rhythm, effecting brute and distracted after the preceding passage. The next track Intermezzo I is a relatively short Ambient piece of inconsolable simplicity.

Fundamentum et factum takes its course very slow and mournful. Hereby the vocals are louder and no longer so abysmal as at the outset of Ab vita morte . Coming along to this leaden beat and the rankly singing are quiet and atmospheric background sounds. Although the music really isn't comparable with Nortt, this dark and compact atmosphere reminds of the Danish project. Fundamentum et factum is due to the increasing more intensive atmospheric sound, a calm as well powerful composition, finishing to the end louder, harder and more variable.

After the second sound passage Intermezzo II follows with Mors imperatix mundi MMVI another obscure track, combining calm and atmospheric sounds with long sluggish passages and quick eruptions. After the Postludium comes Ego sum . It's a very powerful and vehement song, where vocals are most present. In parts the song gets catching fast and to the prevailing deep voice another ne is joining, acting more distorted and bizarre. There upon follows Sic juvat ire sub umbras MMVI , a narrowly ten minute's long and very mood laden Ambient song. Sepulcrum is closing with the covered Beherit Song The Gate of Nanna , coming along in the Urna-typical sound vestment and compresses dismal and condemned as the total record.

Sepulcrum is surely no slight fare. The sound as the arrangements occasionally become compact walls, intentionally appearing just the aim to overwhelm anything. I am pleased with the mixture of slow Funeral Doom, spherical Ambient sounds and single hard eruptions. The concurrences of these different elements provide a thoroughly ominous obscure and thrilling atmosphere.


Aceust

(Translation: G.P.)

01. Ab vita morte (In fidei abitus)
02. Intermezzo I
03. Fundamentum et factum
04. Intermezzo II
05. Mors imperatrix mundi MMVI
06. Postludium
07. Ego sum
08. Sic juvat ire sub umbras MMVI
09. The gate of Nanna (Beherit Cover)


AETERNITAS TENEBRARUM MUSIC FOUNDATION