Veldes - 'Skyward' EP (2014)

Veldes

'Skyward' (EP)

Razed Soul Productions

2014

Veldes is a slovenian atmospheric black metal band, founded in 2012 by Tilen Simon (Nephrolith). This project has released only one album so far. It's succesor is called 'Skyward', and it contains four new tracks.
To be honest I hadn't opportunity to listen to band's music. But the first contact with this EP was rather positive - the cover art reminded me Beksinski's works (or maybe it really is his picture?). I simply like such kind of graphics. I like also Drudkh and Wolves In The Throne Room, which defenitely inspired Veldes to compose and record. Unfortunately the music of this slovenian project is not very original. I failed to find here any element that would be surprising. The music is not bad though, especially in the slower parts - even if for most of the time it is a well-known combination: 'hypnotic, black metal riffs + some keyboard samples + typical black metal screaming manner'. Interesting though are moments in the second song 'Woe Eater', when a sound of Veldes turns more into music inspired by Solstafir from 'Svartir Sandar' album. Also ambient intro and outro is quite good - it might be great to hear more of such mixture of psychodelia and electronic stuff in the future. Those are defenitely the best fragments of this release.
From the other hand, the music has also a big flaw - I don't know how other reviewers see this, but in my opinion fast parts are annoying. I mean here especially cymbals and double foot percusion. Maybe it's a fault of bad production, but it seems to me that a drum machine replaces here a 'live' musician. And everyone knows how sound blast-beats made in computer programs - terrible!
The material is short, so I am also writing short review. Generally speaking, the content of this EP is not bad. Fans of aforementioned bands, as well as of atmospheric music in general should like 'Skyward'. I am affraid though that Veldes won't find many supporters outside those narrow circles. My advice for a future is as follows - try to more experiment in slower areas, especially with those psychedelic and ambient things. And defenitely change a sound of drums if you want to continue doing more extreme parts in the future. Now everything sounds OK, but as far as I hear it Tilen is capable to record something much better.

Rating: 6+/10
Vladyka

Listen to band's music here: 

Tracklist:

1. Skyward

2. Woe Eater

3. Of Rain And Mose

4. Gone

Total time: 26:35

Woodtemple - new album trailer

I've received such an information, so I am posting it here. You can watch new trailer of Woodtemple and check if their (or better his) upcoming album "Forgotten Pride" will be something interesting for you:

Album will be released in January or February 2014 via Sturmklang Records.

Burzum - "Umskiptar" (2012)

Burzum

"Umskiptar"

Byelobog Prods.

2012

Everyone who listens to metal at least 3 days knows Burzum, so let me skip the introduction.

“Belus” was a true masterpiece for me, an album that I can listen all day without getting bored. “Fallen” was good, but in my opinion too soft; I have nothing against “soft” music, but it has to be addictive, and “Fallen” is just a nice piece of music, but nothing more. And now, there is time to rate last metal album of Burzum – “Umskiptar”.

Well, it’s definitely better than previous LP. The first novelty is the intro, with usage of horns. But beside that, the folk-like themes appears only in singing and guitar riffs. You can clearly hear it in “Galgvidr” with very melancholic vocals.

But most of tracks bases on typical “burzumish” riffing. Varg has his own style of making riffs, and as always they sound simply great. This time songs are much more monotonous and slower. Thanks to production, they sound a bit psychedelic. It creates a very moody aura, intensified even more thanks to bass – it sounds very soft, and is on the prominence position. Sometimes it can create a really stirring atmosphere – just listen to a song titled “Heidr”.

This track contains also many declamations (which shouldn’t be a big surprise, as lyrics are just a part of old Icelandic poem “Voluspa”). They are in almost every track, and are building a very specific climate, when e.g. they are mixed with heavy, slow riffs (like in “Alfadanz”). Other vocals are in vain of the “new” Burzum – they sounds like a howling of some old, far spirit and in my opinion Varg has done fantastic job with them. Happily there is no so many clean singing as on “Fallen”. Even if it appears, it’s just a good add to nostalgic aura (as in “Gullaldr”).

Also from time to time we can hear a reminiscences of Vikernes’ older work – e.g. riff in " Surtr Sunnan" recalls a bit „The Crying Orc”.
The album sounds very good, but to be honest sometimes it can be too monotonous, and simply boring. It's happening due to the fact that it is not so diverse as "Belus" was, or simply older Burzum's albums. "Umskiptar is in my opinion also a bit too long. Listenning to this longplay will be surely a good experience, but I wouldn't say that I will listen to it day after day...

Rate: 7+/10
Vladyka

Tracklist:

1. Blodstokkin

2. Joln

3. Alfadanz

4. Hit Helga Tre

5. Aera

6. Heidr

7. Valgaldr

8. Galgvidr

9. Surtr Sunnan

10. Gullaldr

11. Nidhoggr