I tell you, sometimes a burger satisfies more than the full meal deal. In the same way, this three-song demo by Norwegian unblack metal act Vaakevandring is much more potent than, say, a full-length.
The sound, to go a bit further than just saying "unblack metal", melds some very ethereal Viking metal, or forest metal- some would say doom metal- sounds like that of later Burzum records. The vocals, along with the general black metal shriek, utilize a clear, opera-esque baritone voice in the mix. There are keyboards thrown in, along with some keyboard-generated instruments (such as the flute on "Fader Vaar").
Those who complain that they don't know what they're saying in the music, well, you may actually have a valid argument here, as two of the three songs are sung in their native Norwegian. "Some Day" is the only one in English, and probably the best song on the disc. Not because it's in English, mind you. The orchestration, piano and overall feel lend beautifully to the song's topic of losing sight of Christ and asking for a second chance. "Og Sorgen Stilnet I Smertens Vann" (sure, easy for them to say) made me feel that there should be movie credits rolling to the song.
I wonder if the word "robust" comes into play here. Ah, well. Very good buy for the discerning black metal fan. . .
8/10
Other coverage for this album
Art for the Ears 1999Reviewed by Marco PovervestThis demo-CD has three songs on it of which two are sung in Norwegian and the other one in English. Yes, they're from Norway! Vaakevandring brings melodic black metal. In this case it means the keyboards play a dominant role. Each song has an intermezzo where the keyboards take over, almost making it symphonic metal. Sometimes it could have been better by building up to a climax and incorporating…Dead Zine 1999Reviewed by SORGNow that Christian "black" metal is becoming easier to find (and more popular) it is no surprise that the quality of the music is also improving. Vaakevandring from Norway brings us three tracks of true black splendor with this 17 minute ep. The first song on here is very atmospheric and contains more elements of "doom" rather than black, sounding very much like the band Arcturus. Tracks two and…Similar sounding releases
1998AntestorThe Return of the Black Death
2002SlechtvalkThe War That Plagues The Land
2005IlluminandiThe Beginning...
2002MorphiaFrozen Dust
1996KohllapseKohllapse
1998SanctificaIn The Bleak Midwinter
