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Angstskríg

Angstkríg

Written by: PP on 06/05/2023 00:09:19

Angstskríg is a Danish black metal duo who are not content with your standard fare buzzsaw black metal through and through. Instead, they traverse through a variety of other genres in the process, bringing forth a healthy degree of experimentalism and forward thinking that has no doubt been the reason why they've earned a spot at this year's Roskilde Festival.

Their sophomore album "Angstkríg" (why the band's name is with an extra s character in between, I do not know) begins with basic black metal on "Verdens Ulidelige Lethed". It doesn't take long until it morphs into what I would characterize as melancholic metal during its lengthy solo. It's a refreshing change from the usual shrieks and nonstop blast beat pummeling that otherwise dominates the song.

Then you have "Luk Dine Øjne", which starts as a Nordic folk song with quiet acoustic guitar strumming before Slayer-esque screeching takes us into a thrashy version of black metal. Intense pummeling follows, and then mid-song they introduce a clean vocal section which reintroduces the folksy vibes with casual piano in the background. It continues with understated melancholic metal afterward, again highlighting their yearning for the unconventional within the black metal world.

"Midt I En Angstkrig" is probably the best song on the record and also the one most likely to divide opinions into two. One, it has symphonic metal elements to it, but more surprisingly, it features rapper Jøden as a special guest for a hip-hop cameo amidst the double pedal blastbeats midway through. It's a pretty cool idea and it works unexpectedly well.

Later on, "Enegangens Overlæs" has an eerie black'n'roll vibe to it reminiscent of Kvelertak's material to complete the story that Angstskrig isn't just your typical Danish black metal band. They're trying to craft a creative niché of their own. And with guest performances by ex-Aborted guitarist Mendel and Sirenia guitarist Nils Courbaron in the mix as well, you can tell the band isn't shy of touching numerous other subgenres within metal than just their own.

In the end, "Angstkríg" is a decent album, if lacking spectacular flair. Aside from "Midt I En Angstkrig", a few songs stick out for reasons other than just being unconventional. It's decent, but then again, we've been spoiled lately by excellent releases from Danish bands within black metal bands, so it's tough competition.

Download: Midt I En Angstkrig, Luk Dine Øjne
For the fans of: Darkthrone, Denial Of God, Black Breath, Bloodbath, Entombed, Midnight
Listen: Facebook

Release date 31.03.2023
Despotz Records