I really enjoyed the 2nd album by Swedish band Skogen (Forest) ‘Svitjod,’ released in 2011. It would appear that they sneaked a follow up completely under my radar called ‘Eld’ in 2012 and now proving that they work fairly rapidly we have number four ‘I Döden’ (In Death) before us already. Although playing what is essentially traditional sounding black metal the trio behind Skogen do not necessary always adopt this mind-set coming from bands as disparate as Birdflesh, Entrails, Devilry and Poltergeist. The forest name however leaves many of these acts behind as this is highly atmospheric stuff with a lot of dreamy acoustic segments counterpoised by some hefty might behind it.
There is a somewhat mystical harmony with traditional acoustic flavours taking us in to things in the form of very brief intro before the title track indeed brings death to the table in the form of a meaty heathen cleaving, mid paced and solid instrumental barrage. The main vocals are particularly full throated and gravid but there are some harmonic Viking backing croons behind them adding extra textures. Melody is firmly enforced and this flows with a passionate fervour running through it. You could easily name the likes of early Enslaved, Helheim and Kampfar here but the band have a very strong identity of their own and draw me into their world straight away. The fact that they are happy to mix clean vocals which take over along with rasps and put acoustic parts in the midst of their songs shows they have thought a lot about the construction of the elements here and are happy to vary their sound. Not only is there lots going on in each individual song there is plenty throughout the whole hour long listen in itself. I like the way that ‘När himlen svartnar goes from mid pace, into what sounds like almost Spanish guitar acoustic parts and then a full on rampage complete with an eerie keyboard part following things and adding a bit of an Emperor sounding symphonic aspect, although I should add one that is not overstated at all.
The rich melody of ‘Solarvore’ is one of the albums particular high points as it washes over you with an air of loss and heavy poignancy about it. The reflective slow number with the harsh biting vocals really works magic through it casting a cold shiver down the spine. It’s interesting to note the English lyrics on the clean parts too and I have to draw a few similarities between this and the gaze of our own Fen as far as the atmosphere is conveyed. After really chilling us out with some lush acoustic fretwork ‘Griftenatt’ sees the band going for viciousness both in the burgeoning pace then the guttural vocals. It slows but bites hard and makes you want to grab a flagon of mead, down it and slam your gauntleted fist on the table for more. Once the mead has hit you can get carried off giddily by the crooning vocals which have heroism at their very heart. Adding to an already more than epic album is 13 minute closer ‘Sleep’ which completely draws into its enthralling melody, maybe not sending off to the sandman but mesmerising in the extreme.
Having made a point to listen to ‘Svitjod’ prior to covering this and totally enjoying it again it is evident Skogen have a wealth of ideas and are well and truly capable of projecting them. ‘I Döden’ is a work of great depth and maturity and I really wonder what I missed out on with Eld? On the strength of this perhaps I better track it down.
Killer album art here too!
(8/10 Pete Woods)
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