I often find writing a review for what I perceive to be a mediocre or predictable album much easier than doing the same for either a release that I liked very much or one which I never intend on putting on my CD player again. It was during the very early stages of my introduction to 'The Arcane Odyssey', the sixth studio album of the Hungarian Black Metal outfit Sear Bliss, that I realized that I was to inevitably spend numerous hours in front of my computer, trying to figure out what on earth to write in my review, but believe me when I say that this is a task that for once I undertook with great pleasure!

I have really lost count as to the number of times that I argued in the past about the true potential of the Black Metal genre, how I felt that even such an extreme style of music was capable of conveying an array of strong and unique emotions, providing that the end result would be the product of really skillful musicians, and not a bunch of kids who believe that using their mother’s eyeliners and wearing diverted crosses and bullet belts would give them the right to call themselves ‘artists’. Well, one thing’s for sure: those of you who can really appreciate good quality music, regardless of musical style or genre, will almost certainly agree with me that this eight track studio album is one of the best extreme metal releases that have so far been released this year – let me explain why!

I really cannot see how I could describe Sear Bliss as a Black Metal band, seeing as songs like 'Path To The Motherland' have more things in common with traditional Hungarian Folk music (mainly due to the extensive use of traditional instruments) than extreme Metal, yet there is certainly an underlying Black Metal atmosphere connecting each and every single composition that is featured in 'The Arcane Odyssey', thus providing a feeling of coherence and unity to this amazing release.

One message that a composition such as the opening track 'Blood On The Milky Way' conveys is that all five people that are involved in this musical project are simply great musicians who consciously decided not to limit themselves in the process of bringing these eight compositions to life and that resulted in the creation of songs which not only display amazing performances by conventional Rock/Metal acoustic, electric or bass guitars, but also those from a number of different brass instruments, such as Trombones, Trumpets and Euphoniums – the result: simply mind blowing.

I really enjoy how strong each and every single instrument comes across in the final mix, but more importantly the fact that the numerous classical instruments play the role of adding atmosphere to the composition by providing short and to the point performances in key parts, rather than taking the lead. It is precisely this strategy that helped 'The Arcane Odyssey' retain its extreme identity. The majority of the compositions are based on simple rhythmical riffs which are enriched by numerous different melodies, haunting atmospheric parts and catchy refrains.

A perfect example of that formula is 'Lost And Not Found' which begins with a slow Doom/Black riff that’s terribly reminiscent of Mayhem’s 'Freezing Moon'; this follows on with a melodic acoustic guitar theme that carries the classic Iced Earth stamp and closes with a brilliantly performed Pink Floyd/Anathema solo that brings goose bumps to my body every single time I am exposed to its unique charm.

The band’s most up-tempo compositions such as 'A Deathly Illusion' and 'Omen Of Doom', whose main riffs and Rotting Christ sounding/influenced supporting keys have taken me on some beautiful mind trips, are more than capable of attracting your attention and the same applies to 'Thorns Of Deception' – a dark and modern sounding composition that moves in the footsteps of Death SS, 'Panic' era. Most importantly, though, I urge you to invest in the beautiful piano and acoustic guitar tunes of the nine and a half minute opus 'Somewhere' – an epic composition which brings together all those different musical elements that make Sear Bliss such a great band and 'The Arcane Odyssey' and essential purchase.

Do not fool yourselves, people! Albums such as these do not often see the light of day. Far from sounding conventional or predictable, this eight track album moves with unique and often provocative grace in and out of the ‘borders’ that separate the different genres of metal, ready to devour the consciousness of everyone who stands in its way. Who knows, if you are lucky enough, the next ‘victim’ may even be you!

*****

Review by John Stefanis