When talent finds a way forward, it’s not easily stopped. It’s the sort of thing that modern greatness is made out of with many artists that qualify as such littering the base of the underground that offers listeners a constant source of excellence even if such creations can be elusive at times for one reason or another. It’s one thing to want to try and spread yourself out across multiple acts to see what you’re capable of, but it’s something else altogether to witness something blossom into a beast that you never could have expected beforehand. With roots in other renowned underground acts, it’s with their third album that Vauruvã captivate, engage, enchant, and utterly possess the listener from beginning to end.

This is the sort of creation that people are perpetually waiting for even they don’t realize it at times. Not easily pinned down in a single style but always more than capable of delivering competence, innovation, and personal flavor in great measure, these are creations that define what the underground can still become when it’s put into the right hands with such instances understandably few and far between. When once does come around, though, word-of-mouth allows the effort to spread quick and take on a life of its own. That’s precisely how Vauruvã was brought to my attention with the three expansive and epic tracks of “Mar da Deriva” glory of a sort that my soul hasn’t experienced for quite some time. Steeped in as many folk notions as well as progressive leanings, this is a record that twists black metal into a singularly exquisite form that feels steeped in the tradition of its Brazilian origin yet constantly yearning to break free to find something more beyond the confines of what it previously only knew. There’s a sense of what almost feels like whimsy throughout the entirety of this gripping performance such that “Mar da Deriva” never settles in the same place for long nor does it seem content to take the path that one might expect. Embodying loads of black metal cues in an atmospheric form that combines gorgeously with the folk elements to allow the album to take on a sound that’s not easily comparably to much else out there, Vauruvã has crafted a real masterwork of an effort that taps into what many expect from the highest level of excellence from this particular corner of the underground. It’s simply intoxicating to become lost within.

While the act has ties to the likes of Kaatayra and more, it simply must be made clear that Vauruvã stands on its own two feet without needing so much as a shred of assistance in leaning on the accolades of its sister acts. “Mar da Dervia” is as outstanding in its quality as it is extraordinary in its beautiful craftsmanship. This is black metal as we very rarely get to see it with Vauruvã quickly making itself known as a band that commands respect through mastery of its craft, and I can only hope that it won’t be long before Vauruvã returns to us. Yet, to get a follow-up that matches or even exceeds what’s accomplished within “Mar da Deriva”? I’d wait a decade for such a marvel, personally.

LISTEN to “Mar da Deriva” on Bandcamp here.

Vauruvã does not have any sort of social media presence that I could find. To stay up to date on Vauruvã’s activity, follow the band on Bandcamp here and support where you can.