Founded in late 2020 by sole member Erech to give home to the ancient tales of the mythical realm Valdura, Ancient Mastery delivers Epic/Melodic Black Metal with symphonic undertones. On his albums mastermind Erech combines melodic Black Metal riffing, triumphant synths and folkish tunes with occasional pop aesthesia, which is amplified by the chthonian timbre of his companion Circe.
While “Chapter One” told about a group of adventurers and their travel to distant Valdura, “Chapter Two” focuses on the arrival of Aryun and his companions in that mythical realm. Unexpectedly drawn into a long simmering conflict between the corrupt government and the resistance in Valdura’s capital Tordal, they meet the female resistance leader Tabe who informs them of the plight they just encountered.
For songwriter Erech the six songs on “Chapter Two” are the logical continuation of the music on the debut, with perhaps a bit less overall focus on straightforward melodic Black Metal and instead playing with influences from Power Metal and atmospheric Black Metal sprinkled with classic Folk songwriting. To that end, and more often than on the debut, the throaty, intoxicating voice of Circe takes center stage besides the raspy Black Metal vocals of Erech, and there she truly shines.
Chapter One, originally released on CD by the Chinese label Pest Productions, is now re-released by Northern Silence in a fully enhanced version with new artwork and layout and including the previously unreleased bonus track “The Ballad of Tiga & Az’daerul”.
Both DigiCDs of „Chapter One” and „Chapter Two” come with their own 12-page fold-out poster booklet with the lyrics on one side and a map of the territory on the other.
The vinyl version of „Chapter One” is out concurrently with the CDs, alongside the LP of „The Chosen One”, released on CD by Northern Silence a year ago. The LP of „Chapter Two” will be released some time in 2023.
Chapters One & Two recorded by Erech.
Chapter Two edited by Justin Chasteen, mastered by Widek