“Their mix of gently sung vocals, acoustic guitar with heavy backing rhythms, and subtle percussion results in a somber desert vibe similar to Alice In Chains’ acoustic EPs or the 2000s works of Earth.” — Indy Metal Vault
33, the latest full-length from occult rock practitioners ANCIENT VVISDOM is out now via Magic Bullet Records.
Stream 33 in full at the Magic Bullet Bandcamp page HERE.
Said The Sludgelord of the offering, “Like the morning star it praises, ANCIENT VVISDOM is more deceptive than you realize. It heralds that section of the genre that is far darker than even the loudest bands while doing a style you don’t recognize is nearly this cursed. 33 is going to live on for quite some time.” Offers Outlaws Of The Sun, “While the subject matter may be considered dark by some. I don’t hear it. 33 is a Joyous, Love filled record delivered by a passionate group of musicians and is an impressive array of life affirming rock. If you are searching for something different…give ANCIENT VVISDOM a try.” Drunk In A Graveyard observes, “33 moves along with the band’s dark almost Southern rock style towards a neo-folkish sound that is reminiscent of Death In June, Boyd Rice, and King Dude.. The Death In June influence is apparent with the use of percussion instruments, and a very ‘folk’ style to the vocals. I suppose it’s only fitting the names the two brothers use – Opposition and Dark Angel. Nathan has a beautiful voice, and it’s used very well on 33. Given the high Satanic, Laveyan, and Aleister Crowley based themes of the album, I think a straight up metal sound would make it cheap. And make no bones about it, this album is very Satanic. The lack of a hard, heavy metal sound does not preclude that…” While Indy Meta Vault adds, “Their mix of gently sung vocals, acoustic guitar with heavy backing rhythms, and subtle percussion results in a somber desert vibe similar to Alice In Chains’ acoustic EPs or the 2000s works of Earth. However, the group’s committed exploration of this style does make them a unique voice in the scene. Their Satanic lyrical approach is also rather distinct, as it’s less about hateful blasphemy and more about how Lucifer is just a really swell guy that wants to bring love to the world. It’s like a soundtrack from the bizarro world where gospel is the real Devil’s music and Papa Emeritus is the actual pope.”
On the band’s fourth studio offering, the perennial nucleus of brothers Nathan “Opposition” Jochum (vocals, acoustic guitar, kick drum) and Michael Jochum (guitar, backup vocals) is rounded out by new band member Connor Metsker on bass. Thematically, 33 largely continues the prior agenda of empowerment through Satanism, instinct, enlightenment, and ritual. 33 comes under the microscope on this recording and is regarded by the band as a master number. Jochum is quick to point out that it is the age that Christ was crucified, the age of the peak of existence, and the age he happened to be in making this album.
The sonic approach continues in the tradition of prior albums: deliberate, mid-tempo songs with minimal arrangements, unparalleled melody, and dynamic vocal range. ANCIENT VVISDOM could be cited as among the strongest proponents of the philosophy “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” 33 was produced by Nathan “Opposition” Jochum, engineered by Steve Rauckhorst, mastered by Dan Randall at Mammoth Sound, and completed with cover art by Linas Garsys and design by Emma White.
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