Wanderlust - The Tradition, The Mural, The Scythe (2013)

Hot on the heels of the debut full-length 'Monolithes entre ruines' and the EP 'The Endurance of Bronze' that were released simultaneously in September of 2012 is another new EP titled, 'The Tradition, The Mural, The Scythe.' Limited to just 50 copies and released in a DVD box with a four page booklet, printed on classic linen stock, which gives it a superb vintage feel. However, more importantly, the music.

I haven't heard the previous mentioned EP, but here on 'The Tradition, The Mural, The Scythe' Der Pestarzt is taking his music in a considerably different direction from the much more speedier and classic black metal sounding approach on the debut. 'Splintered Frames Grasp The Canvas' opens the EP in an ambient manner with the sounds of a violin intermingled with light percussion, chiming bells and distant whispered vocals it slowly seethes with atmosphere and in an odd sort of way reminds me of something Current 93 might have done two decades ago. The title track is however the main attraction, a monolith if I ever did hear one at eighteen minutes. Opening with light acoustics as well as (woodwind?) instrument of some sort pushed into the background, a heavily fuzzed up creeping riff eventually enters the song and for the next several minutes the song gains in momentum and effectively sets a sombre mood soon enough. Vocals also make their way into the mix in a truly grim and serious tone, as Der Pestarzt recites a lengthy and quite interesting message through his lyrics as the music continues to expand to much more epic territories. As the song comes to a close I almost expected a guitar solo to come up, but the various violin textures make their presence felt instead. The final song, 'A Path Through The Ephemeral Hour' bares similarities to the opening song with its overall feel, though it adds the black metal traits of the previous making it quite an effective closer to this EP.

'The Tradition, The Mural, The Scythe' stands as an interesting and new musical direction for Wanderlust, though with it being so limited only a select few will get to hear it. It does however give me hopes for a promising and fascinating full-length for the future.

Wanderlust - Monolithes entre ruines (2012)

'Monolithes entre ruines' is the debut effort from Wanderlust, which is a completely solo effort from the ever busy Élan "Der Pestarzt" O'Neal, whom resides in Chicago, Illinois. I mention the busy part, because Élan seemingly must spend ever minute of free time he has creating music as he's currently involved in a nearly ridiculous amount of bands, most notably, FIN and Old Forgotten Lands, but also Day of Ascension, Élan, Maugrim and Wék (as well as three others I know nothing about). Can you say prolific, you fucking right you can!

Conceptually Wanderlust is a project based around history, romanticism, nostalgia and medievalism, and since this is a black metal venture its a refreshing detour from the usual and often times tired out genre standards. Musically however the band isn't entirely distant from the genre's early pioneers.

Perhaps the first thing to point out about Wanderlust is that Élan is first and foremost a drummer, which means no drum programming to endure. Fortunately, he's quite talented as a drummer too, often moving between mid-paced terrains to occasional blasting sections, there's also tons of rolls, interesting fills, militant beats and quick drum intros that make it explosively dynamic to hear. Its one of those albums where I find my feet mimicking the double bass parts, which to me has got to be a sign of something special.

The guitars hold the customary raw buzzing tone with riffs that are often played in a foreboding tremolo style, though there's also a few notably more epic-ish licks and these more rockin' head bobbers that remind me of Darkthrone around the 'Plaguewielder' era. Audible bass guitar in bands such as this is surely a rarity as well, but Élan's bass is there, playing these jangly folk-ish notes that sort of remind me of early Graveland. The main vocals are delivered in an aggressively screamed manner that doesn't sound especially different, but with the often times fast paced driving nature of the music and the passion poured into these howls it works out quite well. There's also some brief cleanly sung parts in , 'Smoke Upon Hallowed Ground ,' while the intro, 'Exclamavit' is a majestic choral piece, which seems deceiving for what's to come, but it preps the listener for the oncoming storm either way. It should be also mentioned that the recording is loud and active and just sort of begs you to turn it up even louder as the album progresses.

'Monolithes entre ruines' is a simple affair as far as originality is concerned, but through great musicianship and song writing its a memorable recording worth looking into. An EP titled, 'The Endurance of Bronze' was released in conjunction with this album, as well another EP, titled, 'The Tradition, The Mural, The Scythe' is on the way, both of which I'd like to get my hands on soon!