#PIckoftheWeek: Ancient VVisdom Continuing our month-long highlights of our favorite albums of 2014, one that has grown on me lately (much as Age of Taurus Desperate Souls of Tortured Times--our Album of the Year in 2014--did later in December last year). I nearly overlooked this gem. Maybe I was pissed off that yet another entity is spelling their ws and us with vs. Whatever. I got over that little quibble and have been completely taken in by the occult-rock melancholy of the songs in ANCIENT VVISDOMs Sacrificial (2014 - Magic Bullet Records). I mean, more than a few of these ten songs (or should I call them hymns?) reach, for me, a real level of greatness. The sad, doom-laden strains of Chaos Will Reign, The Devils Work, City of Stone and Blind Leading The Blind have been ringing through my head constantly for weeks. I CANNOT RID MYSELF OF THEM. Im passing the days, burning black flame. Having little faith, in this human race. The lies they invade, the lives they take. Theres no escape....Im tired of games humans play, the rules we make hold no weight. The few remain, I invoke your name. Were one and the same. Damn, that is some serious medicine to my damaged soul. Its as though the Austin, Texas five-member band have tapped a spigot into the same emotional river that gave Blue Oyster Cult such success in wooing us with the beauty of the sad, sad song. The poignant melody, soft vs. heavy instrumentation, and plaintive lyrical elements flow effortlessly for Ancient VVisdom. This isnt the groups first depressive manifesto; its actually their third album, by my count (you can stream all on Spotify). And its a good thing there is more Ancient VVisdom to listen to, because the relatively short running time of Sacrificial (2014) will likely leave you wanting even more (though, truthfully, Ive been spinning Sacrificial over an over again, in some kind of cathartic obsession all day). Verdict: The Goate is well-pleased with this one. Four hooves up. Billy Goate Get it: magicbulletrecords/site/ More: https://ancient-vvisdom.bandcamp Repost this review from our website: bit.ly/AncientVVisdom
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 20:38:26 +0000