Album review: 1914 – Viribus Unitis

By DAN SOUTHALL

METAL has always been about storytelling in many forms. 

Hailing from Ukraine, 1914 specialise in a subject matter that has sadly affected too much of their homeland: war. Man’s inhumanity to Man is always under the brightest light when we are fighting one another for overlords and the imaginary borders they demand. 

In case you didn’t pick up on it, 1914 have been covering the First World War since their inception, digging the depths of our depravity and telling fearful stories across three albums so far.

Viribus Unitis is similar, but takes its focus from all-encompassing to instead tell the story of one man’s war, from enlistment and active service in the Austro-Hungarian army including time spent as a POW.

Opening as is now their standard, “War In” sets a scene foreign to the havoc they are about to erupt in.

With “1914 (The Siege of Przemyśl)”, the chaos starts like a rumble of artillery fire too close to the home front, pummelling drums and claustrophobic black metal guitar work perfectly represent the darkness of the subject matter. 

“1915 (Easter Battle For The Zwinin Ridge)’”is the longest set piece and well placed early in the track list. Musically intertwining a range of emotion from another quiet opening, then hammering away again only to slow right down to bring the fear of the trenches to the forefront. There is anticipation that at any second it is all going to blow up again – without ever really doing so.

The 1918 suite of tracks is a trilogy that gets to the heart of the album, as its protagonist experiences the personal horrors of war, from wounding and capture to making their escape. Opening with an archival call to arms “1918 (Wounded In Action)” sets forth the bleak scenes only now left as tortured memories for those that have had to endure the horrors of war. On the final part of the trilogy “1918 (A Duty To Escape)”, guest Aaron Stainthorpe (ex-My Dying Bride) adds an extra tension to the atmosphere.

Viribus Unitis closes with release of emotion, one of regret and sadness. It is the calm after the storm has ravished the landscape, leaving broken people and death in its wake. A perfect way to finish an almost perfect album. 

For those who have listened to 1914 before, this will be without a doubt for you. If you have only heard the name but never looked into them, now is the time. This is the sound of a band at peak performance. With their source material now striking so close to home you can almost make conclusions between the past, present and uncertain future in which we all exist.

Get Viribus Unitis on CD