Review Summary: an album so krieg, no one even knows about it
The mid 1990's saw quite a lot of experimentation within the realm of metal. Scandinavian bands in particular were testing the boundaries of extreme music with albums such as
Bergtatt,
Orchid,
Written in Waters and so on. Another album which emerged during this time is
Min tid skal komme, the 1995 debut of Norwegian kvltsters Fleurety. This particular release never gained as much of a following as the aforementioned albums, which is really quite a shame since it is as unique as anything being released in metal at the time. Listeners who prefer their metal to be of the more labyrinthian variety should find much to enjoy here.
Fleurety's strange take on black metal is on full display right out of the gate on this album. In fact just the first 10 seconds are probably enough to make most black metal purists fill their ear canals with concrete, as it basically sounds like a slowcore record with Sean Malone on bass. Ominous riffs and echoing black metal shrieks eventually find their way into the mix, adding more twists and turns to the goings on. This song sets the stage for what is heard throughout
Min Tid Skal Komme: songs that maneuver their way through serene slow-paced passages and complex black metal outbursts, featuring the occasional use of eerie keyboards. Several songs on the album are also augmented by some lovely female vocals. On paper it seems as though female vocals would clash with the music on an album of this nature, but then this isn't a typical black metal album. They actually complement the songs quite well, especially the closing track "Fragmenter av en fremtid". It's also worth noting that none of the songs on this album ever reach blazing speeds or contain the nonstop tremolo picking which is often associated with black metal. In some ways, it actually feels inaccurate to even call this black metal. Fleurety are much more interested in creating a challenging and puzzle-like listening experience.
If you consider yourself someone who enjoys music that is more experimental/avant-garde and less straightforward,
Min tid skal komme is sure to be a rewarding listen. It may not have achieved the same level of recognition as other albums being released at the time, but it nevertheless proves to be a great example of boundary-pushing music.
