Rating: 8.0

Country: Italy

Release Date: 2007

Record Label: ATMF

Track list:
1. Fvlgvres 06:48
2. Terzo Volto 06:06
3. Pivme D'Arcangelo 06:16
4. Vesper 08:34
5. Melencolia 04:53
6. Vrsa Major 05:59
7. Addii 02:59

Total playing time 41:35

Band Website: Janvs

Janvs - Fvlgvres

Vinctor - Vocals and guitars
Malphas - Bass
F. La Rosa - Drums and keys, samples

As well as suffering the misfortune of having all of its bands referred to as "mafias" by annoying journalists, Italy's black metal situation is one of those scenes that, while encompassing a number of notable acts, has yet to collectively develop a widely recognized voice. This rather void-like state of affairs has its merits, though; well-defined scenes inevitably grow dichotomic beyond hope, but when there are few rules to break, and even fewer bandwagons to hop upon, the authenticity of bands like Janvs are fully afforded space to flourish.

With Fvlgvres, Janvs have authored a polished piece of mid-paced pagan black metal with a wealth of frosty hooks that echo the likes of Drudkh, other times reminiscent of the French act Celestia in its throbbing contrast between its anthematic lead presence and martial rhythmic centrality. The key difference from these two bands, though, is that Janvs don't intend to depress; the tone is certainly melancholic much of the time with glacial keys sifting about dreary expanses of minor key acoustic plucking, but at the music's climaxes, the rising action channels a sort of triumphant, almost Nordic bombast.

Meanwhile, Vinctor's gravelly enunciation is less concerned with establishing any sort of emotive impact, and more with maintaining a gritty texture in spite of the lofty, buoyantly melodic guitar themes -- think Mikko from Clandestine Blaze/Deathspell Omega and you'll have a good idea of what Fvlgvres entails vocally.

That's all swell, and I'd probably flirt with the idea of simply submitting "I like Janvs. Because they are good. The end." as a review if my enjoyment of Fvlgvres wasn't harassed by one rather glaring mishap: its acoustic/keyboard intermezzi are boring. For example, the lengthy middle section of the song "Vesper" is a bit tepid, predictable, and lingers much longer than necessary for an interlude that's merely intended to dramatize the subsequent lead motif. Similarly afflicted with structural idleness, the ambient coda "Addii" doesn't do much for me. Sure, the atmospheric material on here is sort of pleasant on a superficial level, but because it seems so self-satisfied with that knowledge, it never bothers to tap into the poignant, fiercely creative stride of the metal it blankets.

When Janvs are good, though, they're really good, so even the dullest and most obtrusive of their meek, strumming excursions are invariably tangled between the kind of brilliantly verbose riffing that keeps you coming back to an album long after its surface glitz fades away. Despite the spottiness of its synth bits, Fvlgvres is a classy album worthy of your attention.

June 18th, 2008