Trelldom - Til Minne...
Regain Records - RR 117 - May 29th, 2007
By George Grant
When it comes to Gaahl, controversy and publicity seem to walk hand-and-hand. His main band Gorgoroth also has done a good job in creating a media frenzy. Yet his side project, Trelldom, has seemed to pass unnoticed. Since 1994 Trelldom has released their form of raw black metal in the Norwegian tradition. The new album Til Minne sees the band continuing on their relatively obscure path.
As stated above, this record is raw black metal. In many ways Trelldom shares characteristics with fellow Norwegians Darkthrone. The guitar riffs take on a hypnotic nature with the drums supplying a steady beat to keep you entranced. They keep the tempo within the mid range, but there are a few moments where the band changes the speed. With this form of playing many songs do sound similar, and ultimately makes the whole album wash over you with little impact.
The varied element on this record comes from Gaahls vocals. On Til Minne , Gaahl shows that he is quite the dynamic vocalist. On top of his regular shrieking vocals we are used to, Gaahl uses a talking/chanting vocal approach to the music. For example, in the ten minute epic Steg, Gaahl uses his talking vocal approach to the majority of the song. When this is matched with the repeating guitar riff and moog-like synthesizer, the song progresses very nicely.
The production on the album is fairly clean. Yet, there is a gritty undertone, mostly in the guitars, that harkens back to the black metal roots of the band. Just dont expect huge reverberating drums or delay soaked vocals to come out of the speakers.
Overall, this record is a mixed release. The music on the album will have no trouble keeping your attention from beginning to end. However, this music wont make you come back wanting for more. Even the closing track Eg Reiste I Minnet , which is a Norwegian folk song performed on a violin, doesnt save the monotony. This album is a quick fix of black metal that wont last long.
Official Trelldom Website
Official Regain Records Website
Regain Records - RR 117 - May 29th, 2007
By George Grant
When it comes to Gaahl, controversy and publicity seem to walk hand-and-hand. His main band Gorgoroth also has done a good job in creating a media frenzy. Yet his side project, Trelldom, has seemed to pass unnoticed. Since 1994 Trelldom has released their form of raw black metal in the Norwegian tradition. The new album Til Minne sees the band continuing on their relatively obscure path.
As stated above, this record is raw black metal. In many ways Trelldom shares characteristics with fellow Norwegians Darkthrone. The guitar riffs take on a hypnotic nature with the drums supplying a steady beat to keep you entranced. They keep the tempo within the mid range, but there are a few moments where the band changes the speed. With this form of playing many songs do sound similar, and ultimately makes the whole album wash over you with little impact.
The varied element on this record comes from Gaahls vocals. On Til Minne , Gaahl shows that he is quite the dynamic vocalist. On top of his regular shrieking vocals we are used to, Gaahl uses a talking/chanting vocal approach to the music. For example, in the ten minute epic Steg, Gaahl uses his talking vocal approach to the majority of the song. When this is matched with the repeating guitar riff and moog-like synthesizer, the song progresses very nicely.
The production on the album is fairly clean. Yet, there is a gritty undertone, mostly in the guitars, that harkens back to the black metal roots of the band. Just dont expect huge reverberating drums or delay soaked vocals to come out of the speakers.
Overall, this record is a mixed release. The music on the album will have no trouble keeping your attention from beginning to end. However, this music wont make you come back wanting for more. Even the closing track Eg Reiste I Minnet , which is a Norwegian folk song performed on a violin, doesnt save the monotony. This album is a quick fix of black metal that wont last long.
Official Trelldom Website
Official Regain Records Website
