“The Eternal Dance at the Nucleus of Time” is the debut release from German Atmospheric Black Metal band Rraaumm. An interesting yet unspectacular EP, Rraaumm have a somewhat tepid sound that in places seems to crawl along lethargically like a slug tempted out by the rain. Opening track “To Wander Beyond Lunar Seas” has a dream-like quality, relying heavily on meandering synth based melodies. Once the riffs/drums do finally gain a foothold they are unfortunately generic black metal and take a definite back seat to the synth. As for the vocal work, they are buried so far underneath the music and lacking in power to the extent that they may as well be non-existent. There are catchier grooves scattered here and there but take away the more atmospheric elements and this would be extremely bland.
Cast your mind back to Slayer’s “Raining Blood”, the dark, ominous atmospheric tones that play just before the drums kick in. “Spiral Black Vortices” has that sound going for it, though Slayer don’t let it linger and this goes on way too long to the point of disinterest. More generic, crawling riffs, more bland synth tones. When will this get out of first gear? Finally, after what seems like an eternity, things start to pick up, a cold tremolo sound, a little energy behind the drums. It’s nothing earth shattering but it’s an improvement. In stark contrast “The Eternal Dance at the Nucleus of Time” is positively lively in comparison to its predecessors and even starts to demonstrate what this band can do when they are not too busy prevaricating. Thirty minutes is a long time for an EP and apart from the final track this felt longer. Not one I’d listen to again but there is potential. (Heathen of the Horde)
