"Vestigio" is the debut release from Italian, one-man Black Metal musician Vulr under the guise of the name SKIALYKON. Although the name sounds made up, the word actually means "wolves' shadow." And although "Vesitigio" is the first release from SKIALYKON, Vulr has been working to get to this point for four years.

The music of SKIALYKON is influenced by Magna Graecia, the "Great Greece" which was the area on the coastal borders of Italy that was populated by Greek settlers 2,800 years ago. Vulr has commanded inspiration from the spirit of these people who lived in age that existed so long ago. The music of "Visitigo" feels other-worldly but, in reality, the music and atmospheres are from our own world but the sense of alienation is complimented by the history that is brought into the music composition. Even the album cover, a 19^th century painting by Julius Sergius von Klever, has a sense of ancient nostalgia to it.

"Suonator Celeste" is a murky song but reaches outside of the darkness, striving towards more uplifting and melodic music coming from the lead guitars and keys. This song reminds me of the second-wave Black Metal past from Europe and bears more of a resemblance to that scene than any of the other tracks on the record. The rest of the record is an atmospheric Black Metal dream state.

Vulr is a man of many talents. Although his style is certainly symphonic, "Vestigio" doesn't feel too much like a Symphonic Metal album. There are some clear influences from Pagan Metal, Folk Metal and Progressive Metal all over this album. But, at its core, the central style of Black Metal is necessary to be first and foremost genre because of all meticulous, mysterious characteristics of Black Metal.

But just like any dream, it is extremely impossible to recollect after it meets its end. And such is the music of SKIALYKON; as soon as it's over, faint vapors of the music linger in your mind. The good news is that everyone will be able to return to "Vestigio" whenever they please. But as far as memorability goes, only time will tell. But there is a good chance that SKIALYKON could be very fruitful in the future the further Vulr decides to go with his music.