Asheran - Dvne (2017)

by Easton Lane

From return to cataclysm, from arrogance to retribution, from crimson to viridian—these are the contours of Asheran, a conceptual work of science fiction told through the shimmering progressive, sludge, doom, and post-metal. As Dvne’s debut full-length album, Asheran establishes not only the band’s identity but also its narrative universe, introducing us to the Asheran—a people who return to reclaim their ancestral home after a self-imposed exile in which they searched the cosmos for a greater purpose. What follows is an apocalyptic conflict between the technologically advanced Asheran and the stewards of the planet—their brethren—who turn to the very thing they swore to leave buried to save themselves from the Asheran’s invasion.

Musically, Asheran blends many of contemporary metal’s most acclaimed innovations—the noisy weight of sludge, the melodic flavor of bands like Mastodon and Baroness—animating sparse lyrics with atmospheres so clear you can smell burning forests and hear the screech of machines. Given the band’s name, it isn’t surprising that their work is greatly inspired by Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune,’ a legendary work of climate fiction that reflects the environmental issues at the heart of Asheran.

Juxtaposing serenity with carnage, faith with hubris, Dvne narrate this conflict in a galaxy far removed from our own with theatrical flourishes of growls and clean vocals—opting to construct the physical and historical environment through lyrics and embodying emotion through instrumentation.

There isn’t much more you could ask from the music on Asheran, and if you consider the delicately crafted lyrics too, you’ve got a near-perfect album on your hands. The record rewards repeat listens with its endless nuances, creating a simultaneously minimalist and maximalist story. Asheran established Dvne as one of the most promising bands in metal, while 2021’s Etemen Ænka sees that promise delivered tenfold.

To boil down Dvne’s millennia-spanning story to one lyric, I’ll quote the closing refrain of “The Crimson Path”: “From hubris arise all kingdoms Through hubris kingdoms fall”