Experimentalism into Metal music is heritage since BLACK SABBATH released "Vol. 4", back in 1972. Since then, a lot of bands would follow the same path, and in all Metal styles. Even on extreme Metal styles, we see this feature. But on Black Metal, they are a constant, because experimental works keep appearing, and mutating as well. Maybe Mr. Darwin would be proud to see his theories being applied in such way. And from Italy comes SELVANS, a Post-Black Metal band with a very good work shown on their first Full Length, "Lupercalia".

Melodic, introspective and dense, but as well aggressive and full of abrasive musical arrangements, this duo is creating very long songs, all of them with excellent melancholic atmospheres. Ok, I know that for some fans, this style could sound boring, but their work is excellent.

Selvans Haruspex (one of the two members of the band) produced and mastered the album. He did as well the mixing along Patrizio Tamborriello. For a Black Metal album, the sound quality is excellent. I say this because every Metal style has its way on album's production, the particular tunes, and so, the balance between melodies, aggressiveness and the essential amount of weight is almost perfect here.

Of course their album is great, doing fine in every single song. And they took care to keep it spontaneous, even with very good work on arrangements. And the contrasts between harsh and aggressive moments with clean and introspective ones are something really astonishing.

The best moments: "Versipellis" with its harsh tunes, good guitars and excellent rhythmic changes; the darkened and sad "O Clitumne!", full of excellent guitars and nasty vocals, the atmospheric tunes heard on "Hirpi Sorani" on its beginning are really tender, before an outburst of melancholic aggressiveness and good vocals; and the perfect and extremely long "N.A.F.H.". But the entire album kicks ass, so hear it carefully.

For extreme Metal fans with open mind, "Supercalia" will be an obligation.<