Band/Artist: Skald In Veum
Release House: Rottweiler Records
Genre: Black Metal
One Sentence Synopsis: Sophomore album from Scandinavian black metal band.
Series: Standalone
Single/EP/Album: Album
Release Date: 4-12-19
Running Time: 38 Minutes
MSRP: $12
Discount Link: Click Here
Website: Click Here
Sample/Music Video: Click Here
Purchase Site: Click Here
Reviewed by: Reverend Leviathan
Final Score: 4.0 Moons (Out of 5.0)
Blackened Scandinavian metal band Skald In Veum hit the scene hard, turned many heads and had even more banging with their debut release 1260 Days in 2015. Four years later, the band finally released their long-anticipated sophomore album, Stridslysten, with a LIMITED CD release, so get one while you still can!
Theme
A sword unsheathes and bam! You are slammed in the face with raw, hard-hitting black metal. The opening title track is all performed in Scandinavian, as are the songs “En Lyra Dopt I Blod” and “Tvinsot (Siaren II).” It was really cool getting to hear a few tracks performed in their native tongue, as their previous release was all in English. Even better, if you get a hard copy of the album, they have the English translation printed right beside the Scandinavian.
Even with a double drum pedal, Resh is extremely fast and probably has very strong legs by now. That dude is impressive with the rhythm and speed he keeps throughout the album. He also performed some of the guitars. Mund’s vocals are some of the more appealing types I’ve heard in a black metal band for quite a while.
My favorite songs are “Do As Thou Wilt” and “Goatwhore.” The music in both of those songs seems more developed, and the note combinations and percussion just hit me harder in those songs. The lyrical content is also really good as they quote Catholic saints, describe man’s role with God, perversion of religion, and hope in the Cross.
Presentation
The complexity and harmony that Skald In Veum brings is untamed. They have me headbanging on the downbeats and the upbeats, with no rhythm and then in rhythm. And the mixing and mastering really brought all of it together nicely. I was able to focus on the mix without any instruments overpowering vocals, and vice versa.
Gothic Fit
Lovers of black metal would not be disappointed in this album. Definitely for fans of Immortal, as I hear a lot of influence from them, especially the earlier stuff. The raw sound is very appealing to me, as black metal is one of my favorite subgenres. And even though Skald In Veum has Christ-centered lyrics, they are very dark and true to the genre.
Closing Thoughts
Skald In Veum hits hard with another awesome release! Black metal fans mustn’t sleep on Stridslysten! There is no rest for the wicked…
Theme: 4.0 Moons (out of 5.0)
Presentation: 4.5 Moons (out of 5.0)
Gothic Fit: 3.0 Moons (out of 5.0)
Final Score (not an average): 4.0 Moons (out of 5.0)
