🎶 Ad Finem Omnia
🌎Santiago, Chile
📀 Senectus Viae
® Purity Through Fire
📅 06/07/2026
Chilean musician Pablo Vera returns with the second full-length release from his project AD FINEM OMNIA, delivering yet another atmospheric and melodic Black Metal assault. “Senectus Viae” is firmly rooted in the fundamental principles of second-wave Black Metal, drawing heavily from the classic 1990s sound that so many of us continue to cherish, while seamlessly incorporating melodic passages and atmospheric textures into its compositions.
Following the epic, one-minute instrumental intro, dominated by keyboards, the album quickly establishes its identity with “The Hermit and the Wind.” Fast yet highly melodic, the track blends clean vocals with Vera’s trademark growls, immediately outlining both the musical and aesthetic direction of the record. On “Inner Decay,” the frequent tempo changes become more pronounced, with the drums driving the song forward while Vera’s harsh vocals reinforce the dynamic contrasts. “Anguish And Revelation” gradually builds its atmosphere before erupting into a far more in-your-face Black Metal approach, highlighted by its powerful guitar riffs.
“The Leaf That Refused the Light” takes a more direct approach, with the drums relentlessly chasing its frantic pace, while “Where Existence Falls” stands as one of the heaviest and most emotionally charged tracks on the album, radiating a profound sense of despair. It also marks the second and final appearance of clean vocals, adding another layer of depth and elevating the composition even further.
Shortly before the album reaches its conclusion, “Abolish Gods” distinguishes itself through its relentless aggression, emerging as perhaps the most traditional Black Metal composition on the record. Its stylistic differences from the rest of the material are no coincidence, as the song dates back to the project’s early years, when vocalist and bassist Ricardo Araya was still part of AD FINEM OMNIA. Araya is credited with both the music and lyrics for the track.
The album closes with the title track, “Senectus Viae”, which avoids unnecessary experimentation in favor of a straightforward, high-speed finale. The closing moments, accompanied by the sound of a slowly burning fire, leave the listener with a lingering sense of introspection and inner catharsis.
Now operating as the sole member of AD FINEM OMNIA, Pablo Vera proves more than capable of taking the project a step further. Perhaps liberated from the inevitable compromises that come with collaboration, he delivers a cohesive and powerful record which, while not reinventing Black Metal as a whole, successfully builds upon the promise of the band’s already impressive debut. The production strikes an effective balance between clarity and rawness, preserving that rustic character which remains an integral part of authentic Black Metal expression.
★ 8/10
✍🏻 Kostas Boudoukos
