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Released on August 5, 2014 via Invictus Productions
It’s not often that a demo and an EP lands you a spot on Maryland Deathfest. But that’s exactly what happened to Switzerland’s Bölzer, and by all accounts they were one of the most mindblowing acts of this year’s incarnation of the festival. The stratospheric rise of the death-tinged-black metal duo, which followed the release of 2013’s EP Aura, was almost unpredictable; their demo Roman Acupuncture had some buzz around it, but the speed with which the hype train was built following Aura was almost unprecedented, especially when you consider the fact that the band hasn’t even released a full-length album yet.
Of course, once you listen to the band, it’s easy to see why they’ve become so popular. Aura is one of the most unique, innovative black metal recordings I’ve heard since Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice, and while it will take years for Aura to influence as many bands as Deathspell Omega has, Bölzer are certainly not resting on their laurels in the meantime. Soma is the newly-released counterpart to Aura, using a less assertive, more graceful, and equally effective approach to the band’s unique form of black metal. That’s not to say that Aura lacks grace, or that Soma lacks assertiveness, but the emphasis of different elements of the band’s sound ensures that Soma isn’t a simple rehash of its predecessor.
Bölzer’s highly original riffing style, defined by their grand, regal melodic sensibility that sounds like the Greek gods playing extreme metal – which is then given an extra boost by the use of 10-string guitar – are out in full force on both of Soma’s tracks. ‘Steppes’ is the more forward and driving of the two, resembling a groovier version of Aura’s ‘Entranced by the Wolfshook’, while ‘Labyrinthian Graves’ is darker and more foreboding, but not quite outright evil. The sheer power of Aura is still present on Soma – it is certainly more restrained and subtle, but that simply means it requires a few more listens to uncover.
What is most notable about that power, though, is how much of it these songs have despite lacking black metal’s typical hate-fueled aggression. They wouldn’t be the first black metal band to lack it, but those bands typically aim for calmer, more atmospheric territory, which is certainly not where Bölzer lie. I used the word “regal” earlier, and I think that describes Bölzer quite well; this music is more suited to wise, strategic, decisive ass-kicking than it is to church burnings or stabbing your bandmates. Soma is soul-lifting and empowering despite its darkness, majestic without being snooty or flowery, and, above all, incredibly well-written and performed.
Bölzer look poised to be one of modern black metal’s leaders in the future if they continue their hot streak. Rare is it for a band to discover a unique sound for themselves so early in their career, and if the Swiss duo can make the most of the niche they’ve carved, then their future should be very bright. Soma could just be one of several stepping stones on the way to world domination, if Bölzer keep bringing the riffs.
