Vanmakt - Ad Luciferi Regnum

October 30, 2009

Reviewer: Kesh

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Vanmakt should get an award for it. While I am unfamiliar with their previous album, Vredskapta Mörkersagor, I have to say, judging by their current offering Ad Luciferi Regnum, I’m not entirely moved.

Upon first listen of this sophomore release, you might wonder if you’re actually listening to a new band or fellow countrymen Dark Funeral circa Diabolis Inturim. Vanmakt sound uncannily like the above mentioned Swedish black metal giants. And as you continue to listen to the disk, Dark Funeral’s influence becomes more and more apparent, placing Vanmakt firmly in the “clone” pile of bands. But don’t count them out just yet. There is more to the story.

Now, those first impressions out of the way and more plays of the disk under the belt, little idiosyncrasies of the album begin to manifest themselves. After two or three listens, the band begins stand out from the imitators, and they would seem to be to breaking out fully on their own with track number 7 “The Ascension” and its accompanying female/child-like vocals. The use of this accompaniment during the duration of the song makes “The Ascension” stand out the most from the rest of the disk, positioning itself to be the best track on the album.

Another track of note is the final song, “Written in Blood.” This song pounds the beats and the drummer, Leidheim, a session musician (what a shame, they really should hire him for touring too), gives his best performance on Ad Luciferi Regnum, especially on this track. It’s another track that differentiates them from Dark Funeral. If I was able to take the band aside and give them a pep talk about what would make their next album that much better, I would tell them to use whatever songwriting formula they used for “The Ascension” and “Written in Blood” and go for it. I think they would come out with a more unique sound unto themselves than what they have right now.

In any event, it’s somewhat disheartening that they only start to show their originality toward the end of the disk and not throughout, but it still makes the disk worth listening to on occasion. Don’t get me wrong, they are good musicians, and the disk is very easy to get into, and that’s why it’s getting the rating I’m giving it. Svensson’s vocals are killer and very versatile, but because you have to wait through six other tracks of what might as well be someone else’s work, it gives Vanmakt a less than stellar presence in the list of releases I’ve heard for the year. But I’m also closing with this word of advice: give it a chance, you might find it grows on you.

TRACK LISTING

1.  The Second Key
2.  Brethren of Lucifer
3.  Endless Myth
4.  Re-Incarnating Hatred
5.  Ad Luciferi Regnum
6.  Id XIII Inferni
7.  The Ascension
8.  Beneath the Moor
9.  Written in Blood

Total playing time: 49:01

Release Date: May, 2009
Label: Pulverised Records

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