It can be hard to define the nature of the USBM scene. These days, the most popular artists seem to specialize in the depressive variety of black metal; Leviathan, Xasthur, and Wolves in the Throne Room fall, more or less, into this category. However, many would argue that more bands deal with the raw and hateful side of things; Judas Iscariot being the prime example of this type, as well as more obscure artists, like Teratism and Black Wraith. Averse Sefira embraces this side of the tradition, eschewing anything soft or melancholy for an onslaught of rage and loathing in their fifth full-length, Advent Parallax.

The small size of the group reflects the nature of the music: the three members cover the minimum number of elements needed to perform black metal—guitar, drums, and bass—just as their sound is devoid of excess ornamentation and frivolity. This isn’t to say that the band’s takes a totally minimal approach, however. While there aren’t a huge number of riffs per song, there’s more variety than in, say, your average Darkthrone album. For that matter, the bass, when audible, will occasionally engage in counterpoint with the guitar, rather than mirroring its every move. The drumming, though largely engaged in the background, is actually quite talented. While it seldom slows from the typical black metal fury, it doesn’t stick to mere blastbeats, varying things up with some intricate work with the rest of the set. Finally, the vocals are notable mainly for their comprehensibility. Though they consist of your standard midrange growl, lead singer Wrath manages to deliver them in such a way that I, at least, can decipher most of them without much effort. That said, I can take or leave the actual lyrical content; focusing on the occult, it occasionally comes across as a bit more silly than is usual even for this genre.

I’ve seen mention of the group’s death metal elements, and I can certainly understand where these comments are coming from. While the group lacks the technical focus of many death metal bands, there does seem to be a certain focus on individual riffs rather than overall songwriting. The album doesn’t have much of an atmosphere, emphasizing the playing more. The riffs are interesting and sophisticated, but without a central focus to each song, they blend together and become forgettable. Tempo and time signature changes exist throughout each song, but fail to appear natural. That said, this is assuredly black metal, replete with buzzing tremolo and plenty of repetition.

This is certainly not a bad album. Initially, it struck me as being something of a Darkthrone clone, but this really isn’t a fair assessment (although I swear they took the main riff in the sixth track from a song from Transilvanian Hunger). The riffs are actually fairly varied, repeating themes but not exact form, and the drummer is remarkably good. However, I find none of the songs truly gripping, and the album just generally goes on for too long. Were it twenty minutes shorter from its near hour length, the almost total lack of any true melody would be easier to take. As it is, I find it a little hard to digest, though I’m sure there are those of you out there who will eat this up. In the end, this one might be more for the death metal fans out there, but even those out there who like their music a little more traditionally black might want to give it a go, if they’re feeling adventurous.