Signvm Martis

Here is the sonic mission statement of the BMIA, a compilation CD titled Signvm Martis. The BMIA (Black Metal Invitta Armata) is an elite union of Italy's finest Black Metal bands. The official statement of the BMIA states, "This movement unites and represents the Italian groups that shall endeavor in common artistic efforts aimed at the celebration of their origins." The organization goes on to stress that it is not a political group, but rather "an association of people attracted by (Italy's) historical tradition (but also meta), mystery, and even aesthetics," which aims to "celebrate the traditional Roman and Italy "through music production, and" documents and appointments in-depth." All very heady and mysterious but what about the music, can the BMIA's artistic output justify their rhetoric? Let's see, shall we? The proceedings kick off with the BMIA's best known band, Spite Extreme Wing. The band used to play a more "norsecore" style of Black Metal, but now favor a Destroyer 666 approach. Their track "Somnvs Leonis" is a great start. Janvs is next with the track "Pietas I" which is well-performed Black Metal with some excellent melodic guitar playing ala Dissection, not bad at all. Black Flame follow with a more thrashy Black/Death thingy. Black Flame are definitely proficient enough players but this track fails to really hold my interest for its duration. Heims are next. The Heims track, "Averno" is a towering monolith of trodding slow kvlt Black Metal, excellent track. Tronvs Abyss are the least traditional of the group with their distant and sinister industrial sounding Black Metal. Frangar are at the head of the BMIA along with Spite Extreme Wing. They are similar to Spite Extreme Wing in their style as well. Frangar's track "La Grande Orma" is a crusher, violent and pummeling mid-paced Black hostility. Gladio are the oddballs of the group. Their song is a confusing and totally endearing mindfuck, and they do benefit from a completely fucked up vocal performance. The guy sounds really drunk. Hirpus play well-enough but they're a bit generic, especially after Gladio. The whole thing closes with a throwaway ambient track that goes on for far too long by an entity called Galaverna. Overall a decent compilation mainly due to strong showings from Spite Extreme Wing, Heims, and Frangar. An excellent look at the finest Black Metal happenings in Italy at the moment.

GENIVS