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Leviathan / Acherontas - Sic Luceat Lux

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 June 17 2009 at 08:39:02 PM



So shines the light. So that we may better see? Right? I figured Leviathan’s popularity was in some way bound to Vans-clad moper, Xasthur. Not so. As the message board crew sours on Scott Conner’s stock, SF tattoo artist Jef Whitehead apparently has oodles of staying power; as he can toss off yet another split – his sixth if you’re counting – and still garner the sort of potboiling fanfare I mostly reserve for Nazareth’s Hair of the Dog.

Work that job. Drag out the digital drum kit. Play those tremolo-picked riffs. Do the Amityville Horror Haus vox. Ashen face. Thumbs turned down. Frown. Rack up an album side; break them into manageable bits and festoon them with Poe-via-Verlaine titles. “To a Grotesque Swollen Flesh…” Fireside tales about corpulent tattoo customers?. “Tentacle over Tentacle.” Cool new website for damaged goods with ink fetishes… “Secret Skulls [Dude].” Etc. The one-sheet may as well say Celtic Frost-meets-DJ Shadow-meets-Christian-Death-meets-“Neo-Folk!” Maybe it does; I haven’t seen it. (There’s another four songs from another band here with somewhat better titles [“Velvet Aurora” is not one of them,] but musically they are amazingly far less interesting than Whitehead’s mailed-in “Metal,” which is to say they really suck.)

A massive part of the my initial appeal for this guy’s music was the sociological conundrum I eventually figured bogus: “How can people in California possibly be making Black Metal?” The premise being one of the necessary conditions for said genre is snow. Leviathan sidesteps this by incorporating awkward blasphemy – “Liar of Nazareth;” Howl Mockery at the Cross – and actually using the words “Black Metal” in a four-way split title, viz. the Venomesque Black Metal Against the World. Hell, yeah… Add a few cover-art paintings depicting “DEMONS” and, voila, Black Metal. He don’t need no snow. But does anyone really need Leviathan? The question is perfectly valid considering all the e-ink spilt on the guy rationalizing his “place” in the “USBM” pantheon. It’s irrational. It’s impulsive. It’s boundless. Oh, it must be love! Cue Nazareth: “Some fools think of happiness / Blissfulness, togetherness / Some fools fool themselves I guess / They’re not foolin’ me.”

[Stewart Voegtlin]

Leviathan/Acherontas
Sic Luceat Lux
2009
Zyklon-B Productions
type: reviews    keywords: black metal, vans, lhp027, same same, foolin, nazareth, sfbm, hate!,   

Comments (39)

  • 2 comments
    astral zombie
    10:22 AM on Jun 18, 2009 // reply »
    wow...more verbal masturbation! On the California tip...Oakland would eat the entire country of Norway for breakfast, but way to call California out from Georgia or whatever sewer state you reside in dude!
  • 374 comments
    VOEGTLIN
    11:08 AM on Jun 18, 2009 // reply »
    Quick! State War! Jawjuh's gone kick yo ass, Keanu! Espechleh wid me on dis heah wall wid dah verbul mas-toe-bay-tah! Come back, yo heah?
  • 1 comment
    punxsutawney phil
    12:34 PM on Jun 18, 2009 // reply »
    As I read it, the point made was actually that California's sunny weather in no way lessens the ability of Californians to make black metal. So how is that calling out California? Now you're an idiot for saying the things you didn't say. I'm going back inside now.
  • 35 comments
    Miskatonic
    1:04 PM on Jun 18, 2009 // reply »
    Norway > Oakland
    Utah > California & Georgia (although I'm sure the humidity can bring on a mean depression)
    Wisconsin > Utah
    Norway > Wisconsin
    Norway v Finland v Sweden ??????
  • 374 comments
    VOEGTLIN
    1:50 PM on Jun 18, 2009 // reply »
    It's 98 here today; 100 % humidity... Like walking around with a hot, wet blantet on.

  • 67 comments
    chauncey chompers
    2:51 PM on Jun 18, 2009 // reply »
    son of a fuck! can we have a motherfucking moment of silence for dude above's comment posting name? punxsatawney phil? you clever bastard. my hat goes off to you.
  • 64 comments
    neu konservatiw
    5:49 PM on Jun 18, 2009 // reply »
    ...
  • 24 comments
    masondixonmetallum
    9:07 PM on Jun 18, 2009 // reply »
    wow. this is amusing
  • 24 comments
    confederatehammerx
    9:10 PM on Jun 18, 2009 // reply »
    at least atlanta was CONSIDERED a stop on the sun-oh tour! wah
  • 374 comments
    VOEGTLIN
    12:03 PM on Jun 19, 2009 // reply »
    Summary....

    Comments in defense of Leviathan: Zero
    Comments disparging my place of residence: Two
    Comments about comments: Five
    Comments attacking writer's writing: One
    Conclusion: You're all a bunch of fucking pussies.
  • 35 comments
    Miskatonic
    1:10 PM on Jun 19, 2009 // reply »
    As a pretty big Leviathan fan, and a very mild fan of Xasthur, I gotta say that I'm sick to death of seeing each referenced in reviews for the other. They really aren't that similar. Granted, they are both from the US, both one man bands, both very dark, both appeared on Black One, and both have intensely excessive output. Otherwise, Wrest beats Malefic in instrumental ability, musical diversity, and balls. Wrest sounds like he could swallow Malefic whole (even though I'm pretty sure that Malefic has done most of the swallowing in that relationship). In short, Wrest has a future and Malefic has only a past. So, VOEGTLIN, fuck off for bringing up Xasthur in yet another Leviathan review (Fuck off... even though we agree on their futures).
  • 374 comments
    VOEGTLIN
    1:18 PM on Jun 19, 2009 // reply »
    Gulity as charged. I can't think or write about one without thinking or writing about the other.

    I guess it's because I once witnessed Jef feeding Scott oysters from the shell in this really terrible raw bar near the bay a few years ago.

    Scott was giggling like Shirley Temple and kept begging Jef to take his latex gloves off. It was loud in there and Donna Summer kept playing, but I could tell this was no friendly lunch. The horror of it all...
  • 374 comments
    VOEGTLIN
    1:19 PM on Jun 19, 2009 // reply »
    Oh, and they both are the suck, Miskatonic. They both really fucking suck.
  • 35 comments
    Miskatonic
    1:42 PM on Jun 19, 2009 // reply »
    Dammit! I'm trying to sever association with those two in my mind and then I get incited into writing out an incendiary remark and end up putting them into a gay relationship. Then you go and cement that by furthering the image (oysters?). Now the two are inexorably linked. What shall I do?

    If your experience is any indicator maybe I'll hate them too in a few years... but I doubt it.
  • 13 comments
    Tim
    2:34 PM on Jun 19, 2009 // reply »
    So getting back to the music, what actually separates Leviathan from say, Funeral Mist, in sucking? You have quite the knack for reviewing music qua style, or reputation, or residence, or philosophy, but you never seem to review the music qua music. Have I been listening to metal incorrectly all these years by not taking into account things that matter little to the actual music?
  • 374 comments
    VOEGTLIN
    8:19 PM on Jun 19, 2009 // reply »
    Interesting point, Tim.

    I mean, I guess I'm not talking about the music qua music if I'm talking about style, reputation, residence, or philosophy. That couldn't possibly mean I'm reviewing the "music qua music," could it?

    While you ponder that, I'll get back to my mezcal qua mezcal... Tchus.
  • 6 comments
    Kevin
    9:50 PM on Jun 19, 2009 // reply »
    I'm a fan of Leviathan, but there is no reason why I would want to shell out money, especially since this just feels rehashed and mailed-in at parts. For example, "Secret Skulls" is just the first two minutes of a song from Inclement Derision.

    Besides, I'm sure you could write an essay on Wrest's tentacle obsession. What is the deal with that?
  • 13 comments
    Tim
    9:44 AM on Jun 20, 2009 // reply »
    Point pondered, and I'm sticking to my original assessment. Pedantic obfuscation (obfuscatory pedantism?) seems to be your weapon of choice and avoiding discussion of the actual music seems to be your area of expertise. But good for you, O' Wrest of the keyboard, because it's all just for entertainment. Right?
  • 17 comments
    James
    6:20 PM on Jun 20, 2009 // reply »
    Nobody should write about anything non-musical in the context of a music review, ever. More talk of Leviathan's guitar tone, less of anything else please.
  • 6 comments
    mokura
    8:52 PM on Jun 20, 2009 // reply »
    I've got three Leviathan albums. I like tremolo riffs played over thrash beats. I think songs like Receive the World, VI-XI-VI, The Whole of Deceit, and the Fourth Blind Wound are pretty awesome. I enjoy his strong, varied and occasionally catchy use of the rhythm section in a black metal context. I enjoy his throaty croak, funny screams and their limited use in his music. I'll concede he has a wonky, awkward style that fails to leave an impression on me with a lot of what I've heard(particularly on the demos and Tentacles of Whorror).

    Sometimes I wonder about the necessity of harsh living conditions necessary to create effective black metal. Doesn't Wrest live in San Francisco? My initial reaction to that is 'sounds pretty nice.' But if what I've read around the internet messageboards is true, then I guess he has attempted suicide at least once and I suspect the affair was the subject for the song VI-XI-VI. The fact that lyrics for this song are omitted in the booklet suggest that it could be a particularly personal subject he does not feel comfortable speaking about so openly. If you ask me, someone who has attempted suicide is probably unhappy and that could be all the pain one would require to create black art, making regional weather patterns irrelevant at best since someone so self-absorbed couldn't appreciate sun or snow anyway.

    I haven't checked out this release or wanted to but after typing up a response in Wrest's defense, I'll at least run a search.
  • 15 comments
    Anthony
    3:13 PM on Jun 21, 2009 // reply »
    @ James

    I'm going to second your sarcasm and agree with you. I can't imagine anything more dull than reading about guitar tone.

    At any rate, props to Voegtlin and company for treating metal as though it has content worth talking about. Raw sound is important, but I get enough discussion of that elsewhere, frankly, and really, how much is there to say about it? The "just about the riffs" stance that a lot of metal fans purport to subscribe to is, in my opinion, a large part of why people think this genre is exclusively for boneheads. I mean, holy shit, if you're going to be an adult who listens to songs about the devil and nazis and crap, you better have something to say about it.

    As for Voegtlin's stylistic approach, it seems appropriate to me. I mean, the "meaning" of a lot of this music is kind of hard to put your finger on anyway: a certain amount of artful obscurantism seems stylistically appropriate. At least it gives the music more dignity than the Ayn Rand meets Elvira symbolic reading it tends to receive.

    As for the release, eh, I'm not that interested in it. I don't have a problem with either Leviathan or Xasthur per se (I used to listen to Telepathic with the Deceased a lot to help myself fall asleep. Ha! No really, I did. It was calming). There are just enough great releases out there and I have little enough money that this would have to be pretty mind-blowing for me to throw down for it.
  • 15 comments
    Anthony
    3:16 PM on Jun 21, 2009 // reply »
    I have no idea why my computer added in all those forward slashes when I posted my comment. Sorry for the annoyance.
  • 23 comments
    trummer
    8:22 PM on Jun 21, 2009 // reply »
    who the fuck invented the split format anyway ?
    leviacrap, cannot think about that dude without thinking about the other guy, ksaschthuurrrrr.
    whatever happened to that crebein (sp?wtf!) that
    one was comical also.

    F.O.A.D. !!
  • 1 comment
    big carl
    8:34 PM on Jun 21, 2009 // reply »
    man, I really dig "Tentacles . . ." and some other stuff I can't remember by LVTHN. It has gotten a bit samey after a while, but no reason for the attack. This guy's pereservering, even if it's more samey samey - I dunno, haven't heard this split. Not unlink Fenriz recycleing riffs all alone.

    But please don't bring up CREBAIN ! ! ! I know LVTHN is "down" with 'im but fuckin' CRBN has a black metal ring tone. FCK FF CRBN ! ! !

    "Thou Shalt Not Be Called As A Man While He'll Have One Ring Tone"

  • 4 comments
    Achmetha
    12:20 AM on Jun 22, 2009 // reply »
    That little oyster bar anecdote ruined my night. Thank you, Mr. Voegtlin...
  • 1 comment
    simonangel
    2:06 AM on Jun 22, 2009 // reply »
    Obviously my opinion is worth nothing whatsoever, but I'm going to share it anyway - Leviathan's music never fails to take my breath away. That's it. Ta.
  • 108 comments
    jniff
    10:05 AM on Jun 22, 2009 // reply »
    The comments are as entertaining as the review. Stew - I thought you were going to say Jef and Scott were enjoying oysters whilst waiting for Blake to show.
  • 374 comments
    VOEGTLIN
    10:07 AM on Jun 22, 2009 // reply »
    I'm working on a one act play. You just leaked the content.
  • 35 comments
    Miskatonic
    10:28 AM on Jun 22, 2009 // reply »
    Eureka! There is money to be made in Gay Black Metal porn (of the US variety - Sorry Ghaal). You guys have done a great job of illustrating the demand.

    Scene: Jef asleep in his tattoo parlor. Overcome with boredom. A mysterious, dark robed figure peers through the front window, a sad expression painted on his white face. The door chime sounds...
  • 374 comments
    VOEGTLIN
    10:32 AM on Jun 22, 2009 // reply »
    The forthcoming LOADS OF KAYAHS flick will be way gheyer than that.

    We've contacted Triumph, the comic insult dog, to see if he'll cover it for LHP on opening night.
  • 2 comments
    JAlpino
    2:57 PM on Jun 22, 2009 // reply »
    How about the "CHOADS OF KAYAHS"?
  • 374 comments
    VOEGTLIN
    3:45 PM on Jun 22, 2009 // reply »
    The Taints. OF HATE.
  • 23 comments
    trummer
    7:46 PM on Jun 22, 2009 // reply »
    this place has become very "funny". i would like to move here.

    CREBAIN CREBAIN CREBAIN ! !!! !!
  • 23 comments
    trummer
    8:49 PM on Jun 23, 2009 // reply »
    check this out dudes, good times.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/arts/music/21play.html?_r=2&ref=music
  • 36 comments
    ex.person
    9:01 PM on Jun 23, 2009 // reply »
    I still say the guy that previously described it as sounding like a "heartbroken demon sitting beside these ashes in hell and really missing his girlfriend" nailed it 100%.
  • 35 comments
    Miskatonic
    9:56 PM on Jun 23, 2009 // reply »
    Thanks for the link!!! I've stayed away from Xasthur's new album, partly because I just got "A Gate Through Bloodstained Mirrors", but mostly because I have zero confidence that the new one will be any good.

    what most excited me was the news that YOB's new one is coming next month. Awesome!!!
  • 2 comments
    Faust
    10:35 PM on Jun 28, 2009 // reply »
    The ounces of credit this review once had have been dashed away by the comments of trummer. I hope you collectively enjoy your fight against progression in Black Metal until your pretentious asses realize that that is a task best left for incompetents, such as trummer.

    Also, the authors response to Astral Zombies perfectly valid observation was so immature and devoid of humor that it has confirmed my suspicion that these reviews are written by teenagers with too much time and a thesaurus. I personally suggest you find out who's parents are out of town and enjoy your youth instead of making more vain attempts to criticize music.
  • 374 comments
    VOEGTLIN
    11:59 AM on Jun 29, 2009 // reply »
    We have no credibility, but we're competent? I am immature and humorless and "astral zombie" is a paragon of maturity and humor?

    Our attempts to criticize music are "vain," yet compel you to comment....

  • 17 comments
    James
    9:10 PM on Jun 29, 2009 // reply »
    Faust has got his black metal maze all drawn out and Leviathan's beating Alcest to the progressive treasure chest by a centimetre.
 

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