Antiqva -- Is "chamber black metal" Beethoven's black metal unto the ages of ages?

Antiqva's orchestral black metal right now has only one song to offer, and what a song it is! It is an impressive song for those audiences interested in an elegant form of black metal. This publication, dear reader, does not have the full-length album and has access to the same song that you have. Therefore, we have the same questions that you have. Can this Antiqva entity really deliver more songs that show this type of attention to detail, skill and good old elbow grease? We hope that this is not one oustanding track while the rest of the future album falls short of the excellence of this track. By the way, where are those lyrics? Are we going to get lyrics against religion/government like a million other normal metal bands write or are we going to get the poetic lyrics worthy of the music? Do we need another band to tell us how much they "hate" religion or "hate" the human race or "hate" conservatives, Christians, liberals or whatever else? You don't say! In short, are we going get to the album that fulfills the promise of this song? While we wait for the album, we have this song. Dare we say that this song has peaked our interest?! -Metal Bulletin Zine

Antiqva

Funeral Crown

4 December 2020

ABOUT: International chamber black metal group Antiqva is on the eve of releasing their single ‘Funeral Crown’, to be followed by a full-length album later in 2021. With dramatic chants and moving string sections, this is a show-stopping introduction to a project with high expectations. Australian vocalist Xenoyr (Ne Obliviscaris/Omega Infinity) and Canadian Juno nominated composer/pianist/harpist Lindsay Schoolcraft, conceived the idea for Antiqva while touring Europe in 2015, both expressing the interest to explore different musical pathways within the same band, ultimately starting a project that combined the age and elegance of classical music with the wild fervour of black metal, bringing both worlds together to create something altogether truly immense yet intimately detailed. With an ensemble of experienced past, present, and live musicians from bands including Negator, Karkaos/Blackguard, Black Crown Initiate, Susperia/Abyssic, and The Ocean (in addition to Xenoyr and Schoolcraft's own lengthy resumes), Antiqva unites many talents, and if the depth and intricacy of ‘Funeral Crown’ is any indication of what's to come, Antiqva is not a band to sleep on. Visit Antiqva's website to join the mailing list for updates, presale is available now!

Xenoyr : Harsh Vocals

Lindsay Schoolcraft : Orchestrations, Piano & Ethereal Vocals

Fabian Schaper : Guitars

Justine Ethier : Drums & Orchestrations

Dalai Cellai : Cello

Memnock : Bass & Contrabass

Andy Thomas : Clean Vocals & Additional Guitars

Funeral Crown by Antiqva