Darvulia ‎"L'Ombre Malicieuse" CD

I'm surprised no one has reviewed this album yet, let alone any other works from Darvulia. I generally keep my collection of extreme/black metal low, considering how picky and specific I am with bands who identify themselves as such. Only towards the end of last year (2005) did I finally discover Darvulia. Even in a controlled collection like mine there are albums and/or bands that I listen to more often than others. Darvulia IS one of those bands that I know I will be dedicated to for time to come. "L 'Ombre Malicieuse" really pulls the earth from underneath you! The production is clear, but with a raw essence. The guitars roll over precise and moderate percussion, sounding duplicated as if through broken mirrors. They have a forefront presence, as they should, consider these are some of the best melancholic and mysterious, buzzing riffs I've heard in a long time. It's like they have been a sleep for centuries and finally woke up. I wouldn't say that the bass is non-existent, but it holds this creature up like a ghost. There is so much to be considered unique here and Kobals vocals (among other talents) are no exception. It sounds like a mix of Nocturno Culto's drunken performances and Shamaatae's angry style. On top of this, I can really discern the more natural elements of his voice. There are even feminine sounding screams that chant parallel to Kobal on the "Infestations" track, one of my favorites on the album. I feel confident enough to claim that each song stands up on its own and as an album, they blend together creating one of the most beautiful oddities in existence.

Sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...