If human beings are innately selfish, then it is often said that religion, throughout history, was the means to organize people into mutually helping and caring communities. Thus, it could be conjectured that black metal is one of the ultimate forms of human beings returning to their inner egotistical self, as this music is steeped in individuality and self-centrism. I could have used this preamble for any of my black metal reviews, but somehow it hit me to formulate this thought only now.

Vetus Obscurum is technically not a new band, but the entity which was formed by Numinas (Dario Derna) before Krohm saw the light of day. Before Blood Revelations Vetus Obscurum did not have any releases, and as it stands right now Vetus Obscurum serves as an outlet for Numinas’ ideas which do not fit Krohm, and it shows.

If Krohm is desperate, suicidal and personal, Blood Revelations demonstrate Vetus Obscurum as a lot less personable, and a rather cold and raging creature. Antidote to Humanity (what a name for a black metal track) accelerates and veers out of control with its cymbal whips, before crushing and picking up the pieces yet again. Vetus Obscurum, the song, alternates between blasting melodic and more expansive rocking passages the latter sliding off in dissonance periodically. Coupled with a dual vocal horror attack the whole of this demo seeks for the lonely soul to build a getaway, the place to cower and crawl under. But as the location of this remote spot ends up in the middle of dark woods, this poor soul keeps on bouncing endlessly, as there are no walls in this “cabin”, the woods themselves serving as ill-defined boundaries.

Numinas’ guitar leads left a lasting impression. Vetus Obscurum guitar is metal applied directly to skin, outside, in a freezing cold. It tears the skin off, as in the urgent longing, yet somehow hopeful, lead at the end of The Omen from the East.

Less private and unique than Krohm, Vetus Obscurum, however, brings its point across. Numinas using his own studio one more time is a recipe for a quality production, even though this is still largely work of a single musician.