THE SYNN REPORT: AN UPDATE

(Andy Synn provides this update about two bands he previously featured in his SYNN REPORT series.)

Today saw the release of two pieces of news regarding two former Synn Report luminaries, both of whom happen to be amongst my all-time favourite bands. One piece of news is very bad, whilst the other one is potentially very good.

First and foremost:

AVERSE SEFIRA

“As we write the names, the stars go out…”

Sadly, the US black metal titans have officially disbanded. An official press release has been issued by Clawhammer PR stating:

“American black metal titans Averse Sefira has officially disbanded. The band formed in 1996, and went on to make their mark through Europe and the Americas, performing with other notable black metal groups like Dark Funeral, Gorgoroth, Watain, Marduk, 1349, Absu, Antaeus, and Secrets of the Moon.

“The band gained a respectable following despite a fiercely independent stance that garnered them a complex reputation in the underground. They achieved wider exposure with their signing to Candlelight Records in 2007 and the release of their highly-rated fourth LP, Advent Parallax, the following year. Over the last decade, they also appeared in multiple documentaries and books examining metal culture.

“Averse Sefira was known for dealing in esoteric themes, involved lyrics, and fractured musical styles that were regarded as both ambitious and confounding in equal measures. They were also known for strong ties with several veteran death metal acts, many of whom regularly touted the band in interviews.

“Formal farewell statements from founding members Sanguine Mapsama and Wrath Sathariel Diabolus can be found at the band’s official blog: http://aversesefira.blogspot.com/“

More personal statements from both Sanguine and Wrath Satariel can be found over at: http://aversesefira.blogspot.co.uk/

Personally I’m pretty devastated by this, as both Tetragrammatical Astygmata and A” are amongst my favourite black metal albums of all time. They’re both such distressingly visceral yet vividly complex pieces of work. Their twisted, fractured take on the black metal template will be missed.

Thankfully the second piece of news alleviates this pain somewhat, although it’s far more obscure and inconclusive.

EXTOL

The following video can be found over at www.extolfilm.com:

What does it mean? A documentary about the band? A concert dvd? Or… dare I hope… a reformation?

While the latter is unlikely, I can’t help but hope…