Ne Obliviscaris is unlike any other band within the metal landscape, utilising their signature violin sound to set themselves apart. Their 2012 debut “Portal of I” received immediate critical acclaim for its use of said sound, vocalist Xenoyr’s poetic lyrics, and the virtuosity of its instrumentalists. At 52 minutes, their latest album, “Exul”, again follows this framework, which has resulted in an album which rivals the fan-favourite debut.
Upon release of the first single “Equus”, I was blown away. I had patiently been awaiting announcement of this album for the better part of year, after hearing news that recording had concluded. At over twelve minutes long, the song is filled to the brim with intense riffing and harsh vocals. But stripped-back acoustic sections take up a sizeable portion of the song too. The opposite nature of the two styles, coupled with the dynamical difference help to frame these sections as moments of clarity. This gives the listener time to recollect themselves as they brace for the next onslaught. Around 4.30, the song becomes bass-driven, as Xenoyr’s vocals trade with second vocalist Tim Charles’ wailing violin. This section culminates with a slowly building, triumphant sounding acoustic section, upon its end, the building tension explodes into an extended coda.
The highlight of the album is Suspyre in my opinion. The first verse is unrelenting, but the transition into the chorus makes way for Charles’ clean vocals to soar. This truly puts the band’s expertise in crafting dark, yet alluring melodies front and centre. The final few minutes on this track repeat the same structure as the beginning of the song and concludes with duelling solos between the lead guitar and the violin. While both vocal performances are incredible across the entire album, I find myself more appreciative of the instrumentation; which tastefully makes use of complex time and cyclicality.
An exceptional return to form, Ne Obliviscaris have created another fantastic showcase of their musical talents. Their melodic approach to metal remains as good as ever and allows each member to showcase their talents, of which there is no shortage of. With the departure of drummer Dan Presland, I hope that the quality of their future output will continue to match this level of musicianship.