Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 10:53 AM by Giorgos Tsekas
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Norway
Label: Soulseller Records
Year: 2016
Are you interested in some intense and fast black metal in the vein of Norwegian, traditional kvlt? Svarttjern’s fourth full length record “Dødsskrik” can give you exactly that. Svarttjern are delivering a record that follows classic black metal forms and patterns, though everything is put under a modern perspective. Naughty riffs that spice up the compositions which are empowered by interesting and on point drums, while the bass and vocals give a hellish aura to the whole effort. Thankfully the band avoided a “filthy” production and you can actually listen to what’s being played (sound clarity / solid mixing). The vocals are once more rough, barbaric, making you think at some moments that that’s a recording of a bunch of Vikings raiding a village or something. “Dødsskrik” has an engaging and captivating sound, though it lacks nerve. Even though the instrumentation / arrangements are ferocious and a bit of theatrical (meaning that there’s actually interesting patterns), I felt something was missing. The piece that would have completed the puzzle. In addition to that, although the guitars are catchy and make you move your head to the rhythm, are predictable, so the element of surprise is long gone. In general, “Dødsskrik” is a record that it’s pleasant to the ear and the band has dominating sound and compositions, however I expected something more devastating. I needed the track that would urge me to shout “THAT’S IT GOD DAMN IT!”, the track that would annihilate everything. This feeling almost came to completion at the album’s title track – which is nice blend of black / thrash / all in good proportions – nonetheless, it needed that extra boost I was talking about earlier.
“Dødsskrik” is a decent effort, with nice compositions and lot’s of vigorousness. Definitely worth the candle, even though it lacks that quality that would rocket it to the stars.
4/6
