Norway – Page 2 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Robust – Robust

It’s been a while since we’ve tackled a proper dose of raw Black Metal – the kind that makes you want to rip your hair out and sends your cat scrambling under the bed. Normally, we let those rancid “true kvlt” promos pass by unnoticed, but every so often, something slithers out of the void that’s just too interesting to ignore. Enter Robust – Robust (yes, the album is as sturdy as its name suggests). Think the name lacks edge? Don’t worry, because this is about to plunge straight into the abyss.

Wardruna – Birna

Is January the month of Northern Folk, or what? I know Wardruna isn’t exactly a Metal band. If anything, it’s Metal in spirit. Either way, there’s a significant overlap between you, my dear readers, and people who enjoy this shamanic music. Birna is my latest attempt to leave my comfort zone and review something outside the usual themes of heads chopping or sadness spiraling into madness. Yet, it’s still rooted in nature and folklore, so it’s not entirely unfamiliar territory. Let’s see if Wardruna has delivered something satisfying or if we’re leaving this feast hungry.

Svarttjern – Draw Blood

Stargazer Scholar

Let us play a little game, shall we? I’m going to name a subgenre of Metal and you will quickly come up with three associations it evokes. Ready? Just promise not to overthink it, OK? Great, I knew I could count on you!

And our genre is… ‘Black Metal!’

1349 – The Wolf and The King

Stargazer scholar

Norway’s 1349 has been consistent in proving that maintaining the unholy spirit of Black Metal doesn’t require stagnation. Starting out as self-professed adherents of a more traditionalist approach, the band has since explored Dark Ambient and Thrash, all without compromising its blackened credentials. While some of its work has been divisive—particularly the more experimental, droning side, which received mixed reactions from the genre’s more conservative audience—the band has pressed on with unfaltering zeal and grim determination. At this point in 1349‘s career, one thing is certain: the new opus is dark, uncompromising, and extreme. Its final form, however, remains to be seen, so let’s discover The Wolf and the King together.

Interview: Gunn-Hilde Erstad of Rendezvous Point on Musicianship, Physical Performance, and Navigating the Prog Scene

Hi there, my fellow basement-dwellers! We’ve had another interview, but this time, we’re aiming to educate you a bit, especially you, our musician demographic that needs to learn how to take care of your body since four energy drinks mixed with donuts are no healthy dinner. We’ve got Gunn-Hilde Erstad from Rendezvous Point, who happens to be a PhD candidate researching physical performance in musicians. But enough talking, let’s hear from her!

Leprous – Melodies of Atonement

Let’s not fool ourselves: Leprous is one of the biggest acts in Metal today. They might not be the heaviest band out there, but ever since Tall Poppy Syndrome (still my favorite), the group has transformed from a Prog Death Metal band to a Djent act, and now to whatever they’re doing at this point. To be honest, I haven’t been particularly interested in Leprous since The Congregation, but now that Melodies of Atonement has arrived, I’m willing to give them a second—or even third—chance.

Svartelder – Trenches

When I read a promo that says “traditional Norwegian Black Metal,” my face is an iceberg that shows no emotion. If there’s one sub-genre more beaten to death than Power Metal, it’s old school Black Metal. However, Svartelder has such a cool name that I thought giving Trenches a chance would be the least I could do after months of hopelessness. This is a band with a respectable catalog, so you can’t blame me for wanting to believe! Let’s dive into the darkness!

Diskord/ATVM – Bipolarities

I discovered Diskord by accident when they were part of Imperial Triumphant‘s first European tour. Needless to say, those two together have been the closest I’ve been to feeling under the influence of acid. I became a fan immediately and got myself a copy of Degenerations. As you’d expect, it was a degenerate experience that made me reconsider what metal was. Then there’s ATVM, which makes you feel just as high but takes a more technical route to success. Can you imagine the level of depravity that these two together can unleash? You don’t have to because Bipolarities is here!

Ulvehunger – Retaliation

We’re back to our bread and butter—Black Metal from the pits of (oh surprise!) Norway. We also have something of a super band, because Ulvehunger is made up of members from Satyricon, Disgusting, and Cadaver, just to name a few. However, I must say it’s been decades since I’ve fully enjoyed an album from any of these bands. Don’t throw hate at me; taste is like a butt: split. Despite this, I had no negative preconceptions about Retaliation. If anything, I want all bands to do well and be successful (see? It’s not so bad). Let’s find out if we can jump into this.

Rendezvous Point – Dream Chaser

If you’ve been living under a rock, you might not know that Norway is a low-key powerhouse for Prog bands, not just Black Metal from the basement. I ran into Rendezvous Point aeons ago when they opened for Leprous at a local concert. It was exciting! We had a fire emergency, the power went off, and we were thrown out into the winter cold, but it was all a false alarm (ha ha ha…). Either way, they gave us a memorable performance. Needless to say, I want to like Dream Chaser, but do we ever get what we want? Who knows… read on!