Label: Noble Demon
Origin: Gothenburg, Sweden
Upon first listen, Impius Viam delivers as a very solid entry into the Swedish Black Metal catalog. It is impossible to escape the pummeling thunder from Janne Jaloma (Dark Funeral), the soaring strings of Johan Eskillson and Henric Liljesand (Cipher System), or the relentlessly and satisfyingly evil dueling growls of Ken Romlin. But to chalk it up as another accomplished piece of this blackened genre would be overly simplistic, if not a bit narrow-minded. In reality, Night Crowned’s debut album is a melding of many inspirations and influences that morphs into a one-of-a-kind listening experience for any fan of extreme metal.
Literally translating to “Wicked Way,” Impius Viam takes the listener down a bleak road of evil genius. Leading singles, “Unholy Path” and “Reborn” carry piercing guitar leads borne of the spawn of hell. Standout track, “Nocturnal Pulse,” appeared on the band’s 2018 EP Humanity Will Echo Out. This work is both slow in its build and patient in its ultimate delivery. Romlin’s scream builds through the intro, which is brilliantly crafted into two parts: the first kicks the song into gear, and the second awakens those meant to remain underground. Elements of death metal are woven in: blast beats and chunky riffage support a roaring solo, before the song quickly dives back into early 90’s black metal bliss.
Nocturnal Pulse (Black Lion Records)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uob67uh-3tA&list=PL6ArVjSG7YnZ7xSdqsvFw6EM_Yr3Shxn-&index=9&t=0s
What sets Impius Viam apart from other black metal releases is not immediately apparent to the listener. Each song boldly plays a different wild card. Whether in the form of acoustic guitars, haunting chanted lyrics, classical heavy metal guitar solos, or even elements of deathcore, Night Crowned switches gears with elegance and speed. Take the flagship single: “Ira,” which is written entirely in Swedish and clocks in at nearly five minutes. It is staggering how many musical compositions are crammed into this beast, yet the band’s superior craftsmanship is somehow retained. “Ira” (Latin for a deadly sin, anger) is truly an accomplishment in itself.
Another song with a winding and wicked path of genre-bending is “Black Bone Cross.” This song begins with acoustic revelations straight from The Somberlain (Dissection) before launching into a tirade of pure metal evil. Halfway through, the acoustics return and carry the song into the black heavens, with spirited bimodal guitars delivering melody and a momentary respite from the madness.
Impius Viam is truly a sensational piece of art. With melodies sure to please the most jaded Gothenburg Scene fanatic, sparse chugging riffage and screams to satisfy any modern death metal or deathcore fan, acoustics nodding to the early days of musical satanic madness (RIP Jon Nödtveidt), Night Crowned has delivered a black metal opus masterfully seasoned with the best of its neighboring genres. This is surely a record to pick up.
FFO: Dark Funeral, Dissection, Emperor, Inferi, Carnifex