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Ud\u00e5d<\/strong> comes from a well-documented urge within black metal, to retain a respect for the genre’s essential components. As the new project from one Thomas Eriksen<\/strong>, the mastermind behind Norwegian trve kvlters Mork<\/a><\/strong>, this project seeks to reverse whatever progression Mork<\/a><\/strong><\/strong> has experienced. Ud\u00e5d<\/strong> leaves all pleasantry at the door. This is black metal at its most unfiltered, theatrical, and, most importantly, emotional. This self-titled debut highlights the way black metal can channel real feelings within caustic machinations.<\/p>\n Norwegian lineage notwithstanding, the opening cut “Den Evindelige Ende” sets a mood more akin to French Black Legions projects like M\u00fctiilation<\/strong><\/a> or A\u00e4kon K\u00eb\u00ebtr\u00ebh<\/strong><\/a>. If the more atmospheric leanings of Mork<\/a><\/strong>‘s 2023 album Dypet<\/em> seemed a bit too nice on the ears, Ud\u00e5d<\/strong> starts things off with three minutes of dismal guitar loops that sound particularly lo-fi. Even by black metal standards, this stuff is raw<\/em>. And yet, Eriksen<\/strong>‘s ear for mood and harmonic tension remains intact. Within self-imposed limitations, it’s more important than ever for these ideas to bear repetition and get away with, well, sounding bad by most standards. In essence, the ideas behind Ud\u00e5d<\/strong> are<\/em> those ideas.<\/p>\n Take the opening riff of “Bakenfor Urskogens Utkant” for instance. The abject simplicity, a steady rhythm section, and nuanced chord shifts get at the heart of what made the early black metal scene so unique. Also of note are Eriksen<\/strong>‘s vocals, which favor animalistic howls over the shrieking black metal trope. This results in a sound that resonates beyond what its rudimentary foundations of staccato riffing might entail. Even so, the tremolo picking and black metal waltz drumming of “Avgudsdyrker” play more naturally into the modern black metal aesthetic. Like the classic album Nattens Madrigal<\/em><\/a>, Ud\u00e5d<\/strong> has no issue letting their melodicism shine through the frigid harshness. This also helps justify the length of these songs relative to their dynamic range.<\/p>\n \n