DAWN OF A DARK AGE was formed in January 2014 by multi-instrumentalist Vittorio Sabelli 'VK'. "La Tavola Osca" contains two lengthy tracks of Atmospheric/Experimental Black Metal. "La Tavola Osca (I Atto)" is the first track, at over 23 minutes in length. Spoken words lead the charge, in a foreign language. Simulate oboe notes come into play, if I am not mistaken. The atmosphere is dark and ominous. Clean guitars then join in, slowly at first, and they dance with the oboe for a spell. It's both pretty and sad at the same time. Next comes distorted guitars. The layering the band deploys is strong, and they work very well with each other, complimenting the sound. Drums come in next, and the layering continues. Finally, at the six-minute mark, the Black Metal sound makes its grand entrance, complete with harsh vocals.

The song then takes a bit of a psychedelic turn, with a hypnotic riff and atmosphere, and comes at you like a coiled snake around the half-way mark, striking quickly and the retreating into the woods once more. The dancing oboe continues...or is it a saxophone? Then come the vocal chants. The thought that composer Vittorio put into the song is noteworthy. He builds layers upon layers, but all stays interconnected. It wanes around the 20-minute mark, but finishes strongly, with all instruments in a synergy and on a crescendo of sound.

"La Tavola Osca (II Atto) is a 17 minute-beast, opening slowly as the previous track, with spoken words and despondent tones. The oboe makes a return, combining with what sounds like a bassoon on the lower end. It has an Italian feeling to it, complete with a soprano opera female vocalist. Thunderous drums roll in, and more of that layering begins. Harsh Black Metal vocals make their mark around the six-minute mark. Dark and desolate, they remind us that we are indeed listening to Black Metal. Around the half-way mark, it drops to intense drum strikes, with harrowing vocals. The hypnotic tones continue through much of the latter half of the song, picking up a bit in speed, and then there is a long fade-out.

Overall, it's clear that Vittorio has a vision for his music that was realized. It's Black Metal at its core, but is much more expansive than that. The two extended tracks contain more layers than a wedding cake, and he expertly deploys them at just the right times. They are dark, yet playful at times, and they hold your attention throughout the album. This is the kind of Black Metal that I like-experimental but also holding true to its roots.