Poema Arcanvs from Santiago, Chile started in 1992. After some demos their 1998 debut album Arcane XIII (Picoroco records) was released, followed by Iconoclast (Aftermath music) in 2002. I’m not familiar with these albums, so Telluric Manifesto is my first introduction to the band. Poema Arcanvs play a kind of metal that combines melodic death and doom with spaced out keyboards and piano parts. Not your average metal band as you can imagine. I must confess I’m having a bit of a hard time describing the music, since I don’t know any bands that sound like this. But I like originality and it’s most definitely original.

I’d say: the depressed feeling of My Dying Bride, the atmosphere of Alchemist (keyboards and heavy parts) and the darkness of Rotting Christ (their newer work.) Poema Arcanvs doesn’t sound like any other band really, but this might give you an impression.

The song-structures are quiet complex, so that’s another reason why this album isn’t very easy to listen to. Heavy guitar riffs and grunting with hypnotizing keyboards easily flow into piano parts and clean singing. This clean voice is the one thing I’m not very pleased with, but that’s a matter of taste. I don’t like moaning, dramatic voices, especially when the English pronunciation isn’t always perfect. It’s not bad singing at all; it’s just not my kind of thing.

The great musicianship of every band member is something to point out, as well as the very good production, done by the band members themselves (mostly guitar player Igor). Since there are a lot of layers of music and a lot of different parts and structures all wanting to come out, this kind of music really needs a good, clean production. On headphones I can just flow away into the dark, mysterious world of Poema Arcanvs. Great job!!

The info that came with the promo end’s with these words: It may be a challenge to listen to, but it is well worth both the time and effort…

I can only agree with these words: it was a challenge indeed, but very well worth it. This album deserves to be heard.