CoC : Scarve - Luminiferous : Review

Scarve - _Luminiferous_
(Listenable Records, 2002)
by: David Rocher (9.5 out of 10)

France's prodigal sextet Scarve are back, this time with the true support and logistics provided by a dedicated label in the guise of Listenable Records. Scarve's second full-length release once again demonstrates the incredible technicality, distinctly groundbreaking personality -- an increasingly rare quality in the trend-driven extreme metal scene of today -- and incredibly ample scope of influences. Thriving on the same dissonant, rhythmical and futuristic thought patterns explored by their 2000 debut _Translucence_ [CoC #47], _Luminiferous_ delves deeper -- musically, structurally and lyrically also -- into the confines of the oppressive, intricate and unfathomable depths of Scarve's absolutely unique art. Soaring on the ascending musical currents created by equally pioneering acts such as Meshuggah, Strapping Young Lad, Scarve possess musical intuition and talent which puts many of their peers to shame (including unquestionably decent acts such as Satariel -- praise indeed) and allows them to craft metal anthems with a distinctly organic, incredibly intricate personality. Backed up as always by their awe- inspiring drummer Dirk Verbeuren -- an unjustifiably lesser known musician evolving on the stratospheric planes haunted by skinthrashing demigods such as Thomas Haake, Gene Hoglan or Van Williams --, Scarve's stringsmen raise an eerie, raging and aggressive wall of sound fronted by their peerless combination of two vocalists, begetting a form of thrashing, progressive, atmospheric, blasting death metal on ethereal levels which only few bands can claim to reach. Scarve are much more than a band -- they are an experience, and _Luminiferous_, a concept revolving around the threats of nanotechnologies and genetic engineering, is certainly one of the three most challenging and accomplished extreme metal releases of the year 2002 -- the kind of release which, as its closing notes recede into silence, leaves you bedazzled, disorientated and drained; unrivalled, unsurpassed, genial and quite simply way beyond anything words may hope to recapture.

(article published 1/9/2002)

ALBUMS
25/5/2000	D Rocher	8.5	Scarve - Translucence
14/9/1997	B Meloon	7	Scarve - Six Tears of Sorrow