PILGRIMAGE

One-shot Czech extreme-metal quartet was disbanded soon after their debut was released. With their roots in doom metal, for this recordings they transformed their music to quite interesting direction: quite traditional for genre twin soloing guitars and growling vocals were combined with quite complex compositions structures and many jazzy elements.

Music didn't become more lightweight because of that, but many rhythm breakages, jazzy ,sometimes almost acoustic elements in between of compositions, interesting tunes and even some improvisational moments really made all music much more various and attractive.

Not seriously original or excellent to be mentioned as masterpiece, but really obscure and interesting release, worth attention from prog metal fans, bored from stereotypic sound of too many classic extreme metal bands. Main problem for potential listener will possible be where to find this rare release.

My rating is 3+.

'Pilgrimage' - Vuvr (7/10)

In my experience with extreme metal, Eastern Europe has been a minefield as far as obscure bands and albums go. As is true with virtually every style of music and every regional scene, there is plenty of run-of-the-mill, or even mediocre material to sift through, but it is always worth finding the bands and albums like this; the ones that stick with me past the average. Vuvr is a band that sadly only came out with one album before disbanding some years ago, and it is a real shame that these Czechs never came out with anything else, because on their record 'Pilgrimages', they show alot of potential. One part classic death metal and another part jazz fusion, Vuvr distinguish themselves from their peers, although I'm sure they would have gotten much better had they decided to stick around.

Vuvr's debut is a very promising album that does what a few metal bands have already done in the past; merging jazz music with metal music, in this case; death metal. The contrast between jazzy clean toned guitars and pummeling riffage is already something that had been done across the Atlantic by the likes of bands such as Atheist and Cynic, but what really surprised me with Vuvr's sound is that there are parts here that truly do sound like jazz fusion. By that, I mean that it sounds like its a real fusion band playing, not a rock or metal band that is trying out a new genre. This feeling is brought across mostly by the fact that there is just as much jazz, if not more, than metal on 'Pilgrimage'. I mean, there is still death metal here, but perhaps not enough to actually call it a death metal album. 'Pilgrimage' starts out much in the vein of a band like Atheist, although perhaps not as impressive on the metal end. As the album goes on, the jazzy element devours much of the death metal, and eventually you're hearing jazz instruments like saxophones playing in tandem with the guitars and drums. It was a bit shocking at first, and towards the latter half of the album, I was constantly on edge, trying to anticipate when Vuvr would change their sound back.

The jazz element is certainly Vuvr's best aspect, and the death metal here is quite good, although not excellent. As far as the death metal goes, they are above average when it comes to the strength of their riffs and the sense of direction, but when I will remember 'Pilgrimage' and Vuvr in the future, it will be the brilliant transition to jazz that I remember, and not so much the heavier side of things.

Vuvr must be one of the most under rated extreme metal band from Eastern Europe IMO. They are from Czech Republic formed aroud 1992 and disbanded 10 years later, offering only one album, issued in 2001 named very suggestive Pilgrimage. What an album!!!, this kick ass all the way, any fan of the genre must own it, belive me, this is simply outstanding, how is possible that such great and well performed album, gone almost unnoticed , not only here on PA but in general. Vuvr play a kind of death jazz fusion metal combined with growling vocal arrangements, but the main parts are progressive metal/fusion of the highest calibre. What strokes me at first listning and still after so many spins, is the crystal clear production and how easy musicians play from heavier parts to more mellow. Besides traditional instruments for an extreme prog metal band is some saxophone moments, very intriguing in this context, never though that will sound so great combined with the rest of the metalic aproach. Easy one of the most intresting albums I've hered from this genre in last years, creative and full of great pieces, uptempo and with aswell smooth moments. Similar with Cynic but they have their own sound for sure. 4 stars, recommened, intelligent and catchy.