Dea Artio is a black metal project from Austria. A one-man band started in 2020, it has released four albums to date. The latest one was released a few weeks ago. Entitled Alpenwut, the album was put out via the label Running Wild Productions in digital format and as a limited-edition Mediabook CD. My first experience with this project was through this new album, but in the coming weeks I’ll be listening to the rest of its discography to get a better understanding of the project.
Alpenwut is a 47-minute-and-20-second album featuring seven tracks. My first observation when I looked up the album’s page on Metal Archives was that the tracks are long. Right from the first track, Alphornklang, the album sets off on a dramatic note. The composition is varied, with several changes in tempo. But generally speaking, what we have here is fast black metal, with heavier moments in several passages. Many passages contain melancholic atmospheres, while others are melodic, such as at the start of the track Bergwärts. Moments of calamity serve to soften the frenetic pace, as on the instrumental track Trauer. And at times, the sound of the keyboard adds a symphonic layer to the composition, as on Alpenwut from 1:36 onwards.
The guitars race along at breakneck pace in a purely black metal sound with catchy melodies, as on Im Abgrund. I think the best guitar work is still to be found on tracks like Bergwärts, where the playing is particularly effective. As for the drums, there’s a balance between heavy hits and faster, more driving ones with blast beats, particularly on tracks like Zeitlos Wanderschaft and Alpenwut.
The vocals alternate between high-pitched screams and moments where they turn into growls. The growling is more prominent on tracks such as Zeitlos Wanderschaft. What’s more, the best vocal performance, in my opinion, is on tracks like Bergwärts, where the screams are hellish and energetic. Another track worthy of praise for its vocal performance is Alpenwut, which stands out not only for its high-pitched screams and growls, but also for its whispers, particularly from 2:41 onwards.
Among the tracks I enjoyed the most is Zeitlos Wanderschaft for its instrumental performance, particularly the drumming. From 4:51 onwards, the drums reaches its peak, with such ferocity. I also enjoyed Bergwärts for its relentless vocals and its frenetic rhythm, which kicks in after a few catchy melodies. The guitar performance from 5:07 onwards, followed by blast beats, offers a well-thought-out and, above all, well-executed structure. And the track Des Gipfels schwere Last is my favourite on the album; it’s a real musical journey. A melancholic and ethereal atmosphere. One of the best tracks I’ve heard this year. (The chorus is still playing in my head.)
On Alpenwut, the beauty of nature is captured through the ferocity of black metal, while blending melancholic atmospheres and melodies. This is an album that deserves attention, as Dea Artio offers fans of the genre a truly unique experience. To my surprise, it’s one of the best releases of the year that comes from the underground Austrian scene.
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