Aria of Vernal Tombs explained

Aria of Vernal Tombs
Type:	studio
Artist:	Obsequiae
Cover:	Obsequiae - Aria of Vernal Tombs.jpg
Label:	20 Buck Spin
Producer:	Tanner Anderson
Prev Title:	Suspended in the Brume of Eos
Prev Year:	2011
Next Title:	The Palms of Sorrowed Kings
Next Year:	2019

Aria of Vernal Tombs is the second studio album by American medieval metal band Obsequiae. It was released on May 26, 2015, through 20 Buck Spin record label.^[1] The album features a mixture of medieval music and melodic black metal sounds, with influences from doom metal, death metal, neofolk and dark metal.

Critical reception

The album generally received positive reviews from music critics. Pitchfork critic Grayson Haver Currin wrote: "Aria of Vernal Tombs offers a gorgeous scene of ruins at the gloaming." Currin also thought that "the real power of Aria of Vernal Tombs stems from how deliberately and diligently Obsequiae integrate the medieval elements into the main event—that is, the metal." SLUG Magazines Henry Glasheen wrote that the record "demonstrates Obsequiae’s mastery of their uniquely medieval take on neoclassical black metal." Glasheen also further stated that the band "have crafted a damn near perfect specimen of black metal majesty, a stunning contribution to a year already brimming with quality releases in the genre."^[2]

Spin magazine listed the album as number 11 on their list of "The 20 Best Metal Albums of 2015".^[3]

Track listing

1. "Ay que por muy gran fremosura" – 3:02
2. "Autumnal Pyre" – 5:24
3. "Until All Ages Fall" – 5:06
4. "L'amour dont sui espris" – 3:22
5. "Pools of a Vernal Paradise" – 5:36
6. "Anlace and Heart" – 5:20
7. "The Anchoress's Orison" – 1:38
8. "In the Absence of Light" – 5:05
9. "Wilweorthunga" – 2:34
10. "Des oge mais quér' éu trobar" – 2:08
11. "Orphic Rites of the Mystic" – 5:01

Personnel

Album personnel as adapted from album liner notes.^[4]

Obsequiae

• Tanner Anderson – guitar, vocals, bass, recording
• Vicente La Camera Mariño – medieval harp
• Andrew Della Cagna – drums; bass (3, 11)

Guest musicians

• Aaron Carey – additional vocals (8), lead vocals (11)
• Gary Vu – guitar (8)

Other personnel

• Joe Beres – layout, design

Notes and References

1. Web site: Premiere: Journey Back In Time With Obsequiae's Medieval Metal Masterpiece, 'Aria Of Vernal Tombs' . . August 24, 2016 . Kelly, JKim.
2. Web site: Review: Obsequiae – Aria of Vernal Tombs . . June 4, 2015 . August 27, 2016 . Glasheen, Henry.
3. Web site: The 20 Best Metal Albums of 2015 . . December 14, 2015 . Burke, W. . August 24, 2016.
4. Obsequiae – Aria of Vernal Tombs album liner notes