Review Summary: Some days I save the world, other days I let it burn
Black metal lore is one of its pulling powers, the origins of the second wave bleeding into later trve Norwegian tales and tribulations. The tragic tale of Valfar is one, mastermind of the venerable Windir and their folk inspired pagan black metal, who perished in the Sogndal snow in the winter of 2004. Valfar, ein Windir, farewell the Warrior and enter Vreid the Wrath by the remaining members. Fast forward to 2026 and Vreid are now 10 full lengths deep into a career ostensibly removed from Windir but eternally tied to the ghost of their lost warrior.
New release “The Skies Turn Black” is more or less an encapsulation of their catalogue to date, veering from melodic black to black ‘n’ roll and gothic metal, a smorgasbord of Norwegian metal by an unheralded chapter of its progenitors. Vreid immediately channel their younger selves with opener “From These Woods”, unmistakably sharing parallels with the legendary “Journey to the End”. Rolling melodies from yesteryear aside, there’s a freshness found in the alternating clean vocals and arpeggios which illuminate the track beyond any preconceived expectations.
A left turn ensues with the title track, and has this observer harking back to “Lightning and Snow” by Woods of Ypres, ironically another band cut down in their prime by the cruelty of life and randomness of death. Vreid have enough clout in Norway to be engaged in motion picture soundtracks and naturally include their moody instrumental they contributed for the recent monster science fiction film “Kraken”. The intrigue continues with a duet with Djerv (and specifically Agnete Kjølsrud) in the gothic synth rock track “Loving the Dead” who steals this particular show with her charming tones reminiscent of Gwen Stefani but also possessing a welcome unhinged side.
With roots in the second wave comes nods to “Belus”-era Burzum in “Build & Destroy”, more so in the reverb-heavy sound than the hypnotic droning, and Nemesis Divinia in the epic and expansive “Chaos”. Though to clarify “The Skies Turn Black” is more akin to Satyricon’s under-appreciated 2013 self titled record blending gothic metal with black ‘n’ roll as has been their trademark since inception.
Vreid are in the element in “Flammen”, an understated black metal melody which later slips into Windir esteem crooning and riffing. Doubters need not, it riffs. And as can be expected from men of this vintage, observations of the earth burning and in “Smile of Hate” the lightning bolt of “Some days I save the world, other days I let it burn” and more memoirs in “Echoes of Life” presented in a Ghost 70’s chic with the poignant “Life is eternal, until it’s not”. Primary songwriter Jarle Kvåle is not Valfar but in keeping the Sognametal spirit alive and well, has established a seat at the altar of black metal as “The Earth Rumbles” around us.
