(Listenable)
Vurias (a play on the word furious? Who knows!) is Thron’s fifth full-length and fourth under the Listenable banner. This ain’t typical black metal. Much like Myr’s debut from earlier in 2025, different soundscapes are investigated. Thron executes them in a brilliant manner. It’s not an album out to destroy, but it’s more like a black metal fever dream. Atmosphere, unexpected instrumentation under a deluge of mythological darkness.
Vurias is well-produced and there’s a strong Necrophobic influence with the vocal inflections of SAMCA. The guitars rage at various moments, however there are many sweeps of bleak melodies offering a feeling of being lost in the abyss. The drumming is phenomenal. J wows with meticulous cymbal work and diversified beats – jazzy, proggy, and animalistic rage when called upon.
Thron spreads the nine tracks at 45 minutes with a mix of traditional minded tunes and bold experimentation. The mid-point 9-minute groove of “Ungemach (Stilles Ende)” is brazen ‘70s prog rock filled with a Jon Lord-esque keyboard work and synth. It’s far out, but works. Black metal prog rock it is! “The Hunter And The Prey” introduces some nifty saxophone notes and a cooling solo. It’s executed so well, they should have utilized more throughout!
Opener “The Serpent’s Path” begins with a accented acoustic notes with a solo section reminding of Judas Priest classic “Beyond The Realms Of Death”. There’s this heir of hopelessness permeating throughout. Vurias is sturdy and strong; if a couple of cuts had more muscle and memorability “One Truth, One Light” and “A Paradox” then this would really be cooking. This is still not to be overlooked – listen now!
