2022 already whipped up a pretty good crop of whatever Extreme Metal is capable of. Especially, Black Metal made a comeback with the folks over at Kampfar usurping the numba 1 spot on the RMR Top 10 Records list.
Now, since 2023 got underway we didn’t stop searching for those nuggets. With some great results and one specimen that almost fell through the cracks.
So, Kold1 came along with their debut piece Intet Mere Er. Their brand of Black Metal sits straight where old Scandinavia left off many years ago. And for those thinking that such warmed-up old tropes will be good for about five minutes of your time only, think again. This record deserves much better – and a serious amount of your attention at that. Their tune boasts enough modern twists and oomph to spare to keep things interesting. Seriously.
However, it is also true that Intet Mere Er ain’t the most accessible of all Black Metal records we have come across to date. But it doesn’t appear that Kold really lost any thought about that, either. In a way, this album sounds like some skeletal version of Sidious, the latter’s heinous undead brother-in-arms if you will.
The record reaches full intensity right from the start. Kold won’t take no prisoners and will refuse to do so until the last brutal riff peters out. Intet Mere Ere‘s thunderous, monumental Black Metal riffs will take hold of you from the moment Vinden, Den Kalder Dit Navn leaves the gate. It is that sort of cathedral concoction that we would expect from any traditional Scandinavian piece. Filled with enough rasps and shrieks that should satisfy any of the grizzled Black Metal adepts out there.
In addition, the band managed to introduce just enough atmospherics and a tiny bit of melody to please a larger crowd. But it’s the inclusion of frugal ambient acoustics that really made the difference from good to very good. Ødeland – for example – sports a nice break away from its icy tremolos into some quiet acoustic section. Whereas Nattefrost adds bass to its abundant ambient musings for added spice. In a way, Intet Mere Er turns much more reflective towards the end. And this is a good thing, too. Because there’s only so much brutality even the hardened metalheads over here can take without a break.
But there are not only positives out there in those cold landscapes of theirs. Like a fair number before them, the record suffers from the repetition bug. This is of course somewhat inherent to the art of traditional Black Metal. But a stricter control over ever-repeating riffs would have racketed up the power some. Furthermore, the rasps find themselves way back in the mix – and that is a true pity. All of that comes at the detriment of added brutality and power apparent on the record.
So, why did Uburen pretty much fall through the cracks earlier and Intet Mere Er made it to higher ground than I ever expected? You see, Kold here controlled the messaging. The record never leaves any doubt that olde Scandinavian Black Metal is all it ever wants to be. And apart from the well-known typical riffs, the vile rasps, and the powerful underground drum patterns, you’ll get other elements artfully injected. Acoustics, ambient moments, and select melodic influences provided enough counterweight to the grim metal on the menu to turn this record into a cauldron of dark reflections. A piece with an emotional impact that we had trouble describing. And that, in spite of its apparent raw and merciless blackened power on full display.
Record Rating: 7/10 | Label: Vendetta Records | Web: Facebook (band)
Release Date: 3 March 2023
- Cold in Danish Viking language.-↩