Two statements before starting the core of the review:
1. All-female bands: it is not that totally strange, yet certainly not that usual either at all. I am not referring to the likes of Phantom Blue or Vixen, hahaha, but to the harsher side of the musical spectrum. We had the legendary act Derkéta, of course, and within the Black Metal genre, Astarte was sort of protagonist. But how many other acts do you know? Indeed, that’s what I mean.
2. Second statement: Armenia, in the south of the Caucasus, in between Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan and Georgia, is not immediately the number-one country on Mater Terra when it comes to metalized Music. However, there is seems to be a small yet vivid scene in this republic’s capital Yerevan. But ‘small’ means ‘small’, with just a couple of hands full of young bands…
Why these two things to start my review with? Actually, if two small, almost negligible possibilities get joined, the result is quasi non-existent. It’s mathematics, you see… But in the scientific approach of math, everything can become a possibility, even the combination X (‘female-only Black Metal band’) and Y (‘hailing from Armenia’). X + Y = Z, with X being the first option, and Y being the second one. In this specific case, Z equals DivahaR. Damn, I’m good in mathematics…
No, seriously, DivahaR indeed are an Armenian all-female Black Metal act, which were formed in 2009. And it has nothing to do with these women being pretty attractive to look at (actually, they are pretty!) why I am enthusiastic about their debut full length album Divarise. The aural result too is mostly interesting and surprising. Divarise was recorded by the quartet Dev, Freya, Skadi and Urbani, with session keyboards performed by Asta, and it lasts for forty four minutes. And what these women bring is a very melodic and atmospheric, yet pretty obscure and oppressing form of timeless Black Metal, lacking of irritating modernistic trends, and filled with aspects that might betray a certain Second Wave-attitude. It would be pretty narrow-minded to think that this kind of band would have created a catchy and even poppy album, but believe me: they did not. It’s not that they did record the most vile, morbid and brutal thing ever either; but then again, that would be a stupid statement too. No, this album is a proof that these musicians are able to write great material, and to perform it with conviction and professionalism! As a matter of fact, that becomes evident after the first track. There is quite some variety in tempo, the song is interwoven by well-balanced interaction in structure, and the result is truly satisfying. The vocals, the melodious guitar leads, and the supportive rhythm section are of a high level. But it goes further, by combining slower, pretty obscure and occult parts with faster, harsher pieces, more than once injects by fabulous synths. When it comes to those synths, well, even that aspect is not of the pathetic kind: sometimes adding a grim atmosphere, then again being rather hypnotic or even orchestral, classical (especially the piano-alike excerpts) or ominous. I did mention Astarte in my introduction, and this is for sure a plausible comparison on many levels, those keyboard lines included.
I am truly impressed. Not because DivahaR are a female-only band, of course (I can sum up tens of great female vocalists, female guitar players, female bassists, female synth-witches, female drummers etc.), and not because they hail from a ‘small’ country when it comes to this kind of Music (I can sum up hundreds of bands hailing from countries you even haven’t heard of yet, that house bands or projects that are ten times better than many American or European band). So, what is it that makes me so excited? Is it the fact that these ladies were able to have no one else but Attila Csihar guesting on one track (Blindness)? Yes, that too, of course. But it’s just the general picture. Divarise simply is a fine Black Metal album, a no-nonsense expression of melody and power, of emotion (from the darkest point of view) and balls; Oops, sorry, I mean… Well, you know what I mean. Skip the crap, and keep in mind: DivahaR are the new Astarte (from the early years – they sucked after their second album). This is a band I hope to hear more from soon, because they have the qualities, the attitudes, the persuasion. I hope I can help them with the support. I hope this review can do as for now on. They deserve it!
Oh yes, there’s a video on Alien, in case you might be interested…