Veilburner is a black/death metal band from Pennsylvania, who formed in 2014. Their latest release, “The Duality of Decapitation and Wisdom,” is their seventh Full-length album. The album being their seventh holds a certain meaning. The concept of the album is centered about the number even down to the number of songs and their length. In the bands own words: "Thematically, the character(s) at the center of the Veilburner universe continue a journey into the abyss that began in their previous album, exploring the shadows and secrets that we keep from ourselves and embracing the idea of Rahu and Ketu (the head and the body). From this exploration, Leviathan is revealed both as the almighty “tail-eater,” that which has no beginning and no end, and that which is Egregore, the very thing that has been us all along. One cannot be whole until a weight is lifted off the shoulders; the weight of the world, our egos, our spirits, and our souls. We must lose our heads to gain enlightenment. In less experienced hands, a work with such an amassment of ambitions would represent a bite more than many could chew.’

That all sounds very interesting but it's also a bit too philosophical for my tastes–I'm not going to try and pretend I know what anything they said makes sense to me or what it has to do with the number seven. It probably makes sense but I'm just here for the music. And what music it is! With every album, the duo grows and expands their sound. After the last album, I was worried they had taken their ideas as far as they could go and any new music would be too abstract for me. My foot is in my mouth and all the way out my butt because I worried for no reason. Although this album is insane with a lot to comprehend, it's presented with a firm foundation. Yes, it crosses a lot of lines, totally erased with chaos but it's a controlled chaos. None of the songs feel too floaty, convoluted, or pretentious. After a few trips to the other side, an odd sort of flow emerges and it certainly helps that the songs flow into each other well.

Although the album mixes genres up with everything from progressive leanings to ambient textures, the core sound is rooted in extreme metal. So despite its more a abstract Leanings, it's foundation is sturdy enough so that it doesn't fall under its own considerable Weight. “Tem Ohp Ab in Mysticumn” feels like a fever dream as it fades in. Mephisto Deleterio is quick and powerful, using all available seconds to push the song into surreal territory. Hisguitars drip atmopsheric notes, streaking the song with shadows of its past while pushing forwards. Chrisom Infernium's vocals match the instrumental ferocity---this dude absolutely rips and offers a lot of variety in vocal torture.

One of the best aspects of the album is how each second stays with you even as a new movement begins to assault the senses, it lends the music an arcane, mysterious feel to it. I also appreciate that even when it disconnects from this World into other, moments of brutality still spring to life. Case in point is the song's mid- section which is a jam session of deep and violent riffs. The title track begins with a disturbing noise, the tempo being odd as it mixes fast drums with less pervasive. The song feels as if it's about to break down and just stop at any second but it, of course, doesn't. The song reflects the album as a whole: it unravels as it plays but still builds up from its own discarded skeleton.

The variety of vocals across the song is formidable, offering up growls, screams, spoken word type of shouting and filtered vocals. The middle portion of the song brings riffs upon riffs And guitar solos. The later half had a sort Of desperate energy to it. “Shadows of a Shadow” is highlighted by what amounts to melody for this album. Its psychotic and psychedelic all at once. This Is definitely one Of the most straightforward songs on the album but the solos and bass still melt the mind. The drumming is particularly vicious But the matching intensity with the guitars, making the song seem like it is racing against itself.

The final song, “V.I.I. (Voured Ichneumous Icon),” is dark, horrific and ominous. The trade off between filtered and raw Vocals sets a tone similar to an injured wild animal. This song is layered with unique solos that feel at home in the song yet further serve to highlight the oddities in the song. “The Duality of Decapitation and Wisdom,” is as fresh and unique as it is alien and wild. The twisted compositions only get better as the album is played more and more. This is a trip down a rabbit hole that I'll happily get lost in.