(review) Skognatt/Wehmut – Split

I always loved the concept of split releases since the early days of my punk hardcore upbringings along with metal, I always loved split demos, split lp-s and I actually released couple of split demos diy with bands that I was a part of back in the days. So, I was glad when this split release fell into my claws. Skognatt is a one man black metal entity from Germany and their side of this opus contains three songs. Skognatt plays black metal, but besides atmospheric black that is a foundation I can also hear post metal melancholy, even gothic influences in Volcano. The Swarm is more so to say classic black metal oriented song, fast and straightforward, but also has some atmospheric guitar only parts towards the end of the song. Tornado, third and final song finishes this side like it started, atmospheric and aggressive. Wehmut´s side of opus also contains three songs. Wehmut is hailing from Germany and plays more depressive side of black metal with lyrics in German language which I understand so Traum(Dream) is a song which is fast, almost ritualistic in its repetition and has such beautiful, dreamy, like title says main guitar melody. Wehmut´s songs are long and express all the anguish and pain, such bliss to listen to the material. Krank(Sick) is for me the best song on this opus, being melodic and having that doomy vibe, but also up tempo and having unmistakable black metal core, making my skin crawl with delight. Todeswunsch(Death Wish) ends this opus and it plays with the idea that dying is torture but maybe not something so bad and ugly, depending on the way you check out. Wehmut´s side of the opus is a bit better but that is only my taste.

(review) Rimthurs – Thursamál

Rimthurs is an entity hailing from Sweden and it has been formed some time in the mid nineties but hasn´t been very active until early 2000s. This is the third full length opus containing eight songs. Rimthurs is in fact a one man entity spawned by creature called Niflfarinn, who did guitars, drums and vocals, with help of Mordh on bass. The music is fast and relentless black metal done in old school nineties way, but midst all aggression there are atmospheric acoustic parts and clean vocals with melancholy and birds singing like being in the deep woods, just listen to Mot Undergang. So, there is a melancholy and atmosphere with so many emotions in the music, that reminds again why black metal is such superb form of music. Lyrics are in Swedish I think, I don´t speak the language, but judging by my knowledge of Germanic roots of words they are more nature and maybe pagan oriented depicting beauty of Nordic landscape, darkness and inner feelings. I also must mention Eldens Andar being my highlight with changing from ritualistic Nordic drums to blast beats and back with haunting clean melody mixing with black metal tremolos. Half of the album are a bit longer songs but they do not get boring for a second and this one is an intense listening for all black metal fiends out there. Another great entity from Sweden is upon us!

8/10