| Reviews for Svarti Loghin's Empty World |
| Unique Achievement - 85% |
| Written by Heraklyon
on December 19th, 2008
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| When people think about Sweden and “depression”, they are probably instantly reminded of bands like Shining, Lifelover, Hypothermia and so on. Being a country with such harsh conditions as the Nordic countries like Sweden are, I guess there is plenty of motivation and a huge source of coldness to put in form of music. Svarti Loghin (SL), this recent band from Falun, brings not only a refined slab of cold Nordic black metal in a depressive vein, but brings also a sound crafting ability that few bands actually possess, managing to include many different influences in a black metal salad, sounding coherent and cohesive at all times, which is a major feat. This debut album from SL, “Empty World”, has initially pulled me towards it due to its intriguing cover painting. Instead of the usual BM desaturated (black and white) forest photo, SL have decided to make some difference and created an interesting painting of a quiet, colourful and dense forest, that seems simultaneously alive and alone, as if there was no traces left of human existence. In fact, the cover and the title of the album mix perfectly and I believe the concept of the album isn’t too far from an utopian vision of a world without mankind presence, where Nature could live, breath and evolve. Curiously, I found myself rather fond for this kind of thinking and according to the bassist Raymond N. (who I had the opportunity to interview), my interpretation of a better world without human existence, where Nature still lives on, is pretty close to the concept of this album. With such a good first contact with the album (even if only visually), the cards are immediately put on the table and believe me when I say this will be a win-win game. As the album commences and the fade-in starts, you’re in for a ride that is sure to get some smiles out of your face. Starting in a rather generic way, with a melancholic buzz saw riff, the song eventually moves on to the first great surprise of the album. Apparently, SL are influenced by bands like Xasthur, Regnum, Isis, Jefferson Airplane and Beatles, which denotes right from the start an intrinsic will to produce something innovative and different from the rest of the other copy cats. The surprise is an unexpected section of “happy” black metal, as some would call. Personally, I don’t like to call it “happy” or “joyful” or “whatever” black metal, adjectives that some people use to describe SL’s sounding. Instead, I prefer to describe them as depressive black metal but in some sort of not too worried/conformist point-of-view. The reason behind this slightly silly description is motivated by the impression done by the sounding on me, since it seems like the band is expressing a melancholic state of mind, but as if there was nothing else to do and as if there is no need to complain or to whine to much about it, because there really is nothing we can do to change it. This conformist state of mind put into music is a complex process that is highly praiseworthy and something we do not see commonly on a black metal outfit and therefore, a reason to pay even more attention to this band. Why does SL sound like this is a very pertinent question that fortunately was answered by Raymond N. when I shared some written words with him. “The biggest inspiration for us is life and all the misery as well as happy moments that come with it. That is why our music can be suicidal depressive at times, and happy and almost upbeat at times”. This quote not only demonstrates a once again the strength to craft something unique but also denotes a severe conscience of this present World and situation, socially speaking. Luckily, not only does the sounding appears innovative and compelling, but it also proves the enormous song-writing capacity of this trio, as hypnotic melodies dance and change slowly and naturally, together with thin layers of careful distortion. All songs on “Empty World” sound bleak and naturalistic, even if somewhat suicidal at some points, proven by the melancholic harmonies that intersect the “happy” moments, before having a life of its own. More precisely, the guitar work is magnificently executed, delivering riff after riff, acoustic or distorted, a massive displaying of skilful sense of melody, laying an ethereal mantle of solitude, with its heavily melancholic ambience. The guitar works really fine, not only for the undoubtedly intelligent progression applied on the song structures but also for the brilliant bass job pulled out. On this record, the bass does not accompany the guitar the whole time, in fact, most of the time the bass is playing a completely different melody from the guitar, which adds a wonderful prog touch and shows the creativity lying all over this collective. Its own pattern and rhythm may sometimes result in a slight dissonance but ends up working just fine, creating an atmosphere of virtuous variation, separating the band from a lot of other collectives that often try to create something unique but fail categorically. The drums are frankly different from the usual stuff found on DSBM bands but similar to drum patterns that appear on some post-black bands, comprising fast to mid/tempo, upbeat and one-two beats and a methodical cymbal use clearly evidences a pummelling snare drum, marking the pace in a very precise way. Since all three instruments feel so fantastically played and organically driven, one would thought the voice would possess an atypical approach. Unfortunately the vocalist has a somewhat generic harsh screaming that sounds one-dimensional more frequently than I would like but even if not having an original vocalising, it suits very well the albums mood and from time to time, the vocalist sings in a almost clean vocal intense way, which adds some variation and intensity. The throaty screaming blends with the atmosphere in a discrete way, so there isn’t too much to brag about. This debut album from Svarti Loghin has a lot of merit for treading across unexplored paths of the black metal book, especially on the depressive chapter. With the increasing appearance of the so-called “post-black metal” bands, like Amesoeurs, Lifelover, Frail, et cetera, it is pleasing to assist at some experimenting that actually results. Svarti Loghin injects psychedelic rock and even some pop on the rotten carcass that black metal represents, turning it into a whole new experience with a considerable makeover. In the end, “Empty World” drove us in a trip through a desolate landscape, where Nature lives untouched by human hands, an experience galvanised by the awesome songwritting and the incredible instrumental playing. Try this record if you’re up for a naturalistic trip, especially if you have sucked to the bone the whole three albums from the more urban Swedish band, Lifelover. This should prove to be a great complement. |
| Svarti Loghin - Empty World - 75% |
| Written by ravenhearted
on October 12th, 2008
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| During the last few years, depressive Black Metal seems to have evolved into a marketable trend, with countless bedroom-projects popping their pale heads out in order to release one lackluster demo before disappearing into obscurity. This makes it hard to separate the gold from the shit, and you’re probably going to be knee-deep in the latter before you find as much as a bronzed nugget. Bands like BURZUM, STRID, KATATONIA, and FORGOTTEN WOODS laid the foundation in the early 90s, and in newer times most groups taking the “depressive” label to heart have only played variations of these bands’ music, regardless of being done right (XASTHUR, TRIST) or embarrassingly wrong. The Swedish newcomers SVARTI LOGHIN are definitely golden material, achieved by possessing certain qualities separating them from the throng of wristcutters out there. Their debut album "Empty World" is not as unbearably bleak as for example countrymates HYPOTHERMIA, but rather fuses their depression with a slight case of nostalgic longing. As a result of this, the songs contrast between lighthearted catchy, almost poppy, melodies and familiar repetitive melancholic disheartenment. It’s not a new formula, and similar feelings have been achieved by both the aforementioned FORGOTTEN WOODS and also newer groups like AMESOEURS and LIFELOVER, but it still sounds unique in the context of SVARTI LOGHIN’s autumn-colored world. The vocals come in the form of unremarkable screams, which is expected but rather forgettable, as this is one of the few Black Metal albums I’ve heard where the addition of clean vocals wouldn’t sound totally out of place. The music has a psychedelic edge that creates a beautiful mood, but at times the repetitiveness of some songs feels tiresome. "Empty World" manages to create a unique atmosphere, which is worthy of praise in a niche where soulless copycats are in the majority. If TRIST feels too soul-crushing and long-winded for you, SVARTI LOGHIN might be just what you need, and even though there are many better examples of suicidal atmospheres in music, not many of them have such a underlying sense of beauty. (Online October 12, 2008) Ailo Ravna Written for the Metal Observer |