For the past decade, the Ukrainian war poets 1914 have worked tirelessly to craft music that not only blends elements of death/doom with black metal., but also embodies the perfect soundscape of a real war. Filled with gunfire, explosions and the screams of the dying, the band has made a name for themselves in the metal community for their distinct sound and lyrical themes of anti war. This time around though the band is exploring new territory on their album Viribus Unitis out now via Napalm Records. While still keeping the WWI lyrical centerpiece the band ventures away from the futility of war and its destruction and instead focuses on the camaraderie and emotional landscape of those who endured the horrors.
Keeping the tradition alive the intro track “War In” offers a somewhat dark sense of calm with an old war song that comes off downright unsettling. But once “1914 (The Siege of Przemyśl)” kicks in that unsettling feeling is replaced by a flood of chaos. This track also shows off the bands embrace towards much stronger melodies which becomes more common as the album goes on. While 1914 have never shied away from utilizing melodies in their music this album sees the group going as far as to almost veer right into melodic black metal territory.
“1916 (The Südtirol Offensive)” is hands down the strongest track on the album. The song opens with the sounds of soldiers yelling amongst gunfire before breaking into this haunting guitar tone. The track highlights 1914’s masterful way of swapping between fast paced intensity and slow chugging heaviness. Going from some classic black metal tremolo riffs to death doom grooves this track masterfully pulls you in and doesn’t let you go until the last note is played.
“1918 Part 2 POW” is a nightmarish song detailing the horrors soldiers endured in prisoner of war camps. Vocalist Ditmar Kumarberg’s lyrics paints a horrific setting of disease and torture made all the more disturbing by the off-puting vocal performance by Aaron Stainthrope (ex-My Dying Bride). While the singing on this track uses the usual raspy shouting we’re used to, Stainthrope’s vocals on the chorus help drive this track into sheer madness with his howls begging for this to be the last war we fight.
Viribus Unitis is a testament to 1914’s ability to craft music that truly embodies the horrors of war through blackened death/doom. The use of such powerful melodies adds such a strong feeling to the album making emotional moments standout amongst the audial carnage. The heaviness is never lost on this album. Each riff and groove hit with wave after wave of intensity to truly give the feelings of battle. Lyrically the exploration of war through the eyes of a soldier who has survived its horrors offers a new and engaging narrative that really draws in the listeners attention. If there is anyone who hasn’t listened to 1914 before then this is your album to start with.
