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- ALBUM REVIEWS -
- J -
- JANVS [2008] Vega -
Label: ATMF Records
Review by Mark Howitt
RATING: 9 \m/
Janvs is an Italian gem that is still quite an underground band, however they have the potential to climb the highest of mountaintops. This band is simply amazing, and it is quite a shame I had not come across them earlier, although their first album from 2007 entitled Fvlgvres is less powerful and overwhelming in comparison to the Vega album. Don’t get me wrong, Fvlgvres was a great album as well and had more use of acoustic guitars but the atmosphere that Janvs has captured on Vega is unmatched, bar none.
When I first listened to the album, I did not quite understand fully the potential of this masterpiece. Perhaps it was part to do with the production or song structures themselves, but it did indeed take a couple listens for me to fully grasp what is going on here. However, since that moment I have listened to the album constantly, as it truly is original and refreshing. Taking its obvious influences from bands like Opeth and Amorphis, Janvs offer a great Black Metal side to their formula as well. Blending perfectly rich melodic harmonies with great Black Metal is something perhaps Enslaved has even tried to master. With another album, I am sure Janvs will be a force to be reckoned with.
My personal favourite songs are Saphire and the title track Vega. These songs are very well constructed and contain amazing clean vocal passages. Matteo "Vinctor" Barelli truly has a soaring voice, very full of emotion and quite unique sounding as well. I have not heard clean vocals quite like his, and he takes many different approaches to this vocal styling as well. His throat vocals are also well initiated, a very well rounded musician to say the least as he takes care of all vocals, guitars, synths and programming. Not drum programming either, as the drummer Massimo Altomare is a great Black Metal influenced drummer. There is truly nothing wrong with this album, except perhaps a few parts in a couple tracks that maybe drag on for a bit too long but they are so miniscule that it goes unnoticed. The intro section for Tarab is also quite entrancing, being very familiar to stuff heard on the Om album by Negura Bunget. \m/
Janvs has quickly reached a place into my soul, and for anyone who likes melodic/progressive type stuff with a very soul moving sound should definitely check these guys out, especially the songs Saphire and Vega. If the next album continues in this direction, there is no telling what Janvs will offer the world. Simply AMAZING Atmospheric/Progressive Black Metal!! A must have album for fans of Black Metal and Melodic stuff in general.
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