Ancient VVisdom

Deathlike (Prosthetic)

Had Townes Van Zandt formed a metal band, Ancient VVisdom would’ve backed him. On the Austin trio’s second LP, minor key melodies marinate in rattling acoustic strums and plush power chords, creating the perfect backdrop for Nathan Opposition’s furrowed-brow ruminations on death, rebirth, and the nature of good and evil. “Waiting to Die,” “Never Live Again,” and the nearly jaunty “Death or Victory” add some backbeat for spice, while “The Last Man on Earth” gives voice to Satan’s spaghetti Western. ***

This article appears in February 8 • 2013.

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Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.