Veilburner
The Duality of Decapitation and Wisdom


4.5
superb


Release Date: 11/15/2024 | Tracklist

Review Summary: No light, only darkness.

I’ve said it many times and I will say it again, black metal is a glorious genre. Bands are still finding ways to make the genre sound fresher than ever over 30 years after its conception. Pennsylvanian band Veilburner is a band that had eluded me for years. Earlier this year I decided to jam their 2021 album Lurker in the Capsule of Skull and immediately had mixed reactions. Overall I was underwhelmed because while it certainly wasn’t bad, it also didn’t do much to differentiate itself from the hordes of other black metal bands out there. Fast forward to 2024 and my perception of Veilburner has gotten huge bump with the release of The Duality of Decapitation and Wisdom

The first thing I’ll say is that these guys must’ve been jamming tons of Akercocke and Deathspell Omega because the avant-garde tendencies are upped tenfold while creating one of the most menacing and suffering atmospheres on an album in 2024. The dissonance of the riffage is so dizzying and claustrophobic yet melodic at times and catchy. Now add the absolutely schizophrenic vocals into the mix and you’ll really be having some fun. Ranging anywhere from piercing shrieks to swampy death growls to some of the most unsettling ghostly wails you’ll ever hear.

The Duality of Decapitation and Wisdom sounds like some type of morbid freak show that you have no hope of escaping. It's a wall of sound and denseness that keeps hitting you and hitting you until you submit. The musical equivalent of a mental asylum would be a good way to describe this album. The riffs are super creative and avant-garde in the sense that it's not just a normal black metal album with tremolo picking and blast beats. They’re purposely creating the atmosphere that has your head spinning and feeling like you’re running hopelessly through a house of mirrors with no exit in sight.

There really are so many layers to peel back on this album. You’ll be so disoriented by all the insane riffage and the unhinged vocal performance soaking into your soul that it will be over before you know it. And isn’t that the sign of a great album? Veilburner may have disappointed me a bit in the past, but The Duality of Decapitation and Wisdom is so amazing that it warrants a discog check. If you want a black metal album that doesn’t play by conventional rules, do yourself a favor and get on this bad boy.



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user ratings (67)
4
excellent

Comments:Add a Comment 
Hawks
November 23rd 2024


94901 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Amazing album bros.

NexCeleris
November 23rd 2024


867 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Great album. Doesn't top Sire for me yet, but might grow.

Hawks
November 23rd 2024


94901 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I'm excited to check the rest of their stuff!

Pikazilla
November 23rd 2024


31457 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

excellent release, need to peep the rest of their discography

Hawks
November 23rd 2024


94901 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Hell yeah Pika bro!

someone
Contributing Reviewer
November 23rd 2024


7047 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

"these guys must’ve been jamming tons of Akercocke"





"and Deathspell Omega"



someone
Contributing Reviewer
November 23rd 2024


7047 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Album fucks beyond belief

Hawks
November 23rd 2024


94901 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I'm obsessed with it right now. And new Defeated Sanity of course. :]

someone
Contributing Reviewer
November 23rd 2024


7047 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Revisiting it, I might bump the rating

Hawks
November 23rd 2024


94901 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Yeah started as a 4 for me but have been jamming it nonstop for the past day and a half. Had it on while writing the review and had to bump.

NexCeleris
November 23rd 2024


867 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Can I join your bump gang? Excellent album now.

Hawks
November 23rd 2024


94901 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Lets go!!!

artificialbox
Contributing Reviewer
November 23rd 2024


2890 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

i fuckin love the album art for this its so weird

Hawks
November 23rd 2024


94901 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

The music is just as good. ;]

Veldin
November 23rd 2024


5440 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Awesome review, Hawks.

Hawks
November 23rd 2024


94901 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Thanks my man! :]

artificialbox
Contributing Reviewer
November 23rd 2024


2890 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

ye I’m on the first track rn and its awesome. so many crazy good metal releases lately i’m having a hard time giving them all the attention they deserve

Hawks
November 23rd 2024


94901 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Yeah this year has been so crazy man. This one really surprised me tbh considering I didn't love the one album of theirs I heard previously.

artificialbox
Contributing Reviewer
November 24th 2024


2890 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

you nailed it on the head with how dissonant and weirdly catchy this is. like this is actually one of the more unsettling metal releases I’ve heard in a while but in a fun, colourful way.

Hawks
November 24th 2024


94901 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Yes indeed. Kinda has a carnival-esque feel to it.



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