Album Review: Desolation by AVDL – A Blackened Journey from Italy
Alright, so let’s talk about Desolation by AVDL. This is one of those albums that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. Released back in 2013 under Deep Lake Records, this Italian black metal gem is raw, unapologetic, and kinda feels like being punched in the gut—but in a good way, y’know?
First things first, the album kicks off with the title track “Desolation,” and man, does it set the tone. It’s all blast beats, shrieking vocals, and this wall of sound that just engulfs you. But here’s the thing—it’s not just noise for the sake of noise. There’s something oddly hypnotic about how the guitars weave through the chaos. Like, you can tell these guys weren’t just throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks. They had a vision, even if that vision was basically “make people feel like they’re wandering alone in a frozen wasteland.” Spoiler alert: mission accomplished.
Now, my personal fave has gotta be “From Despair To Despair.” It starts off slow and brooding, almost like a funeral march, but then BAM—it explodes into this frenetic whirlwind of riffs and double bass drumming. The transitions are seamless, which honestly caught me off guard. You don’t always get that kind of flow in black metal. Sometimes it feels like bands forget songs need structure too (no shade, I still love that chaotic energy). Anyway, this track stuck with me because it’s got layers. One minute you’re headbanging your face off, the next you’re zoning out to some haunting melodies. It’s wild.
Oh, and props to “Song Of Affection” for having a name that’s hilariously ironic given the genre. Don’t go expecting any sappy love ballads here, though. This one leans more into the atmospheric side of things, with tremolo picking and distant screams creating this sense of… well, despair, obviously. But there’s also this weird beauty to it, like staring at a stormy sky and feeling both terrified and awestruck at the same time.
So yeah, Desolation isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t try to be. What it does do is deliver an authentic slice of black metal straight from Italy—and damn, does it hit hard. If you’re into music that makes you question your life choices while simultaneously nodding your head, this might be right up your alley.
Random thought: listening to this album feels like someone took all their pain, anger, and existential dread and turned it into sound waves. And honestly? That’s pretty metal.
