Album Review // 2024-01-22

Vials of Wrath

Ataraxia 1 & 2

Released: 2023-09-01

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It was the artwork for Dark Winter Memories, a few years back, that caught my attention and had me wondering what this band sounds like. It took me a while, but here I am, checking the band out. It proves that art matters (at least to me).

Apparently, Vials of Wrath is a one-man project, something I found out after listening to the Ataraxia 1 & 2, many times over. So, Dempsey had the full freedom to do what he wanted to.

The name of the band, Vials of Wrath, I would consider to be something that is concocted for wrath or to do bad. You can definitely see an expression of anger going along with the name. I don't find the name matches the sound, overall. It doesn't feel angry or wrathful.

The name of the album Ataraxia 1 & 2, signals that there was previous content with a similar name that proceeded this album. It is in fact a compilation, but is totally new to me. Apparently, the word Ataraxia is associated with tranquility, which I can associate with these tracks.

So, here are my thoughts after many times through.

Artwork

I like this artwork enough that I would put it on my wall. I like how it is greens on the bottom and oranges and yellow towards the top. I love a good storm scene. For me, this feels inviting. It reminds me of the night sky that I play under with my son. It gets dark earlier here in the winter.

Mood

This album makes me think of an experience I have repeatedly. I love going for a walk outdoors, and I especially like walking in specific places. Close to where I live is a creek that runs under the road. I have been going to this creek since I was a few years old. I used to throw rocks in it and sit and watch the water rushing through. I found it very relaxing and mesmerizing. In the past few years, part of the bush has been ripped down in the area and a house was built. The people that own the house have dogs, and they are guard dog types that want to kick my dog's butt (don't worry - I don't let them). So, whenever I go there, I only have about four minutes of peace and then the dogs come out barking and startling me. This album reminds me of this soothing-then-jolted dynamic. When the experience is repeated, you come to expect to be thrust from peace to adrenaline.

Vocals

In some ways, this vocal doesn't feel black metal to me. It feels almost goth or even grunge. It is unexpected, anyway. It is what made this music hard for me to get into. It just disturbed my engrossment in the rest of the music. Even the way things are enunciated felt awkward at first. I suppose I have gotten used to it after this many listens, but there is no doubt in my mind that if this had a different vocal, I would like it more. I prefer his lower register to this super high, crackly one. I consider myself to be a bit of a nerd, regarding fantasy, but I still found the Lord of the Rings clips to be distracting. Just not something I understand.

Music

This music took a while for my brain not to shun. It just felt so wrong. A Primal Urge is a good example of the disconnect I feel. I can hear the keyboard so strong and soft and slow-moving, with a tone to the guitar that seems rock-esque, so detached from it, as well as the vocal feeling almost gothic. It felt like there were three different styles going on, but not in a good way. Over time, I have come to realize this is probably a different experience for the person creating it. It is probably a lot of fun to perform. My favourite part to listen to, surprisingly, is the acoustic guitar. There are some great pieces. This is where the relaxation comes in, for me. I am finding I really like keyboard in heavy bands lately, but this presentation of the keyboard is just too much, and I am not a fan of the ring it has. At times it has hints of jazz. I also noted that this album is quite different from song to song, to the point where I questioned at times if I was still listening to the same band. And if there is something I take from this album, it is that you should do what you want to do, artistically, however unconventional. There is definitely someone out there that will get it.

As the Shadows Grow Long

This is someone missing times past and feeling nostalgic. Maybe we all have these moments, and some of us are more stuck in the past.

As evening has passed
And the shadows are gone
My thoughts drift to tomorrow
Of family and friends
A new day will begin
Full of joy and sorrow

How I miss that childhood bliss
To be young, naive and sinless
Realities cost is innocence lost
When nightmares are no longer dreams

Hands to the Plow

I think this is a way of saying to put one foot in front of the other. Try to stay in the moment, and not to worry. Why spend the moments you have in worry or want for something else?

Our hearts desire
A quest to gather so much more
Never content with the present
But what life has in store

Yet I have found treasure
Living in the now
Knowing a divine purpose
With my hands to the plow

As the Shadows Grow Long Pt 2

That desire to go back, or have some experience of things you never did. Always imagining, what if things were different?

I am addicted
To the drug of nostalgia
Constantly wanting
that which
I’ll never have enough of again

I am afflicted
By euphoric remembrances
Bittersweet events
Bygone, there is a longing
Recalled with both joy
And pain

Would That I Remained

I think this is feeling content with where you are at and what you have. I think this has to be a conscious effort and isn't easy. And in some situations, complete contentment is impossible.

Silence, Peace, Solace
Eludes me
Unless I remain
Within a sacred wood

Would that I remain
In natural boundary confined
At peace with the pace
of progress
As I’m grafted to the vine
And would that I remain
Ever growing still,
Always moving forward,
According to His will

Playlist Pick

I chose The Eternal Call Pt 2 to put on my playlist because the keyboard doesn't take over. The acoustic guitar is the star here. And I prefer this song, as one without vocals. It stays in a relaxing place.