Star Of Ash – Iter.Viator – Review

Star Of Ash

Iter.Viator (The End)
by Vinnie Apicella

Those familiar with her work as Ihriel from occult experimentalists, Peccatum, will find the mystery and intrigue remaining firmly implanted in Heidi S. Tveitan’s new project, Star of Ash. The airy, aural moments serve as early indicators, like a beckoning wind against the sensual pale flesh of youthful innocence, cautious in their approach, irreverent in their desire. At once there’s a combined essence of Gothic beauty and ethereal innocence that fades far and away to a facet of unfiltered noise disturbing an otherwise temperate environ of cool, autumn air and trickling piano keys. Iter.Viator is an enchanting collaboration of radiant, edgy, and eerie tones that dash well away from the typically Nordic black roots. Symphonically sleek and dramatic, as on prime examples “Beautiful as Torment” and “Death Salutes Atropos,” she and her band of contributors (including Kris G. Rygg aka Trickster G/Garm of Ulver/Arcantus and V. Tveitan, aka Ihsahn of Emperor/Peccatum) go heavy on the FX and atmospherics. Iter.Viator is both entrance and exit music for the curious and damned, as her short and bittersweet lyrics might better reveal.
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