Etemen Ænka
DVNE build Etemen Ænka around the movement between heavy riffs and quieter, more open passages. The Edinburgh band combine progressive metal with sludge, but the appeal goes beyond the weight of the guitars. Melodies pass between the instruments, keyboards add depth, and the longer songs usually feel like connected pieces rather than a collection of separate ideas.
“Towers” gives a useful picture of that approach. Its heavy sections have room for lighter keyboard sounds, making the force of the guitars feel part of a wider arrangement. “Court of the Matriarch” brings more space into the music, with gentler guitar work providing a clear contrast before the heavier playing returns. The changes help the album hold attention without needing to keep getting louder.
The keyboards are especially effective because they support the songs. Their sound moves between brighter notes and more distant layers, while the guitars, bass and drums keep responding to each other. The playing is detailed, but there is a strong sense of the musicians working towards the same result.
There are places where the scale becomes a problem. “Weighing of the Heart” and “Adræden” help connect the larger songs, although their slower development can interrupt the momentum. “Omega Severer” contains plenty of changing guitar work, but its length asks for patience. Across an album running well beyond an hour, the quieter stretches do not always provide enough movement of their own.
The vocals are another mixed point. The rougher singing has enough force to sit inside the heavy arrangements, while the clean voices bring emotion but can sound less secure. The instruments often leave the stronger impression.
“Asphodel” provides a softer approach to the closing “Satuya”, which brings the album’s heavier and more spacious sides together on a large scale. Etemen Ænka is demanding, and some editing would sharpen its impact. Even so, the interplay between the instruments and the strength of the arrangements give those long songs a clear purpose. It is a rewarding choice for listeners who want their heavy music to keep developing.
