So I've been adamant about how I, Voidhanger is one of my favorite record labels ever. Most of what they put out is top notch – which is why when something they put out is merely passable I feel a little bit disappointed. I don't want to start this review of Ananku on a bad note – but there is something a little less than ideal about what the band has created here. While they execute nicely I'm not entirely sure their music is where it needs to be. Serpent Ascending play along to a lot of the standard tropes of black and death metal and it's a bit underwhelming. So much of this record seems set up to be totally sick. The art is amazing, the band name is badass as is the name. So when things fall a little by the wayside I'm not entirely sure that this is a band who should be on a label like I, Voidhanger. While nothing about the album is totally objectionable I know I'm not going to revisit it anytime soon.
Still – there are some potent ideas here which suggest to me that there is a lot more to come from the guys in Serpent Ascending. Their sense of songwriting is potent and their use of melodies, especially in tracks like 'Karelides' which highlight their strengths. The droning forward motion of Ananku is strangely reassuring. It touches on more traditional extreme metal ideas and is clearly steeped in Emperor worship. While at times the band gets a bit mesmerizing I kind of love the balance between the more black metal ideas and some of burning death metal rage. The diversity makes Ananku an interesting listen, a sentiment only complimented by the occasional soaring clean vocals. It adds a sense of epic majesty to the record and shows us that Serpent Ascending certainly do have the potential to tap into greater things. If they can refine and polish up their sound I get the distinct impression they could unveil and exciting new side of the blackened death metal spectrum.
Despite the fact that I'm not totally in love with Ananku repeat listens has showed me what this band is capable of and gives me a sense of what Serpent Ascending are trying to do. Watching them grow will be a pleasure, but as is there isn't quite enough to make me really want to bite. I'm curious though… Ananku is clearly full of potential, but the subpar production and understated songwriting leave me wanting more. The general concept is strong, but like many of their peers the band isn't totally able to act on it. When they get going though they hint at something truly transcendent though. Given how far the band has advanced from their 2011 demo release of The Enigma Unsettled I feel fairly confident that Serpent Ascending are on the road to glory. After all this is only their first full length and as I'm sure they know: they have all the time in the world to grow.
Score: 5/10
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