Holmengraa

Norwegian city of Bergen has a rich cultural and historical tradition. Located in the heart of a beautiful fjord, it amazes the curious looking for beautiful landscapes. Yet, only very clever people could guess that this city is also home to the largest concentration of black metal bands from all over Scandinavia. The seven misty mountains that surround the capital of Hordaland indeed seem to have a real evil power that influences the youth of a city where it rains almost three hundred days a year. It is in this ancient Viking city that legendary bands are emerging in the 1990s, such as Immortal, Burzum and Gorgoroth. And this tradition continues with a newcomer, the group Blodhemn, proud heir of all of these illustrious predecessors, which launches this month his first album called Holmengraa (2012) on Indie Recordings.

The obvious struck me from the first listen: Invisus, leader and sole permanent member of Blodhemn, is without a doubt the legitimate spiritual son of another major figure in the Bergen black metal scene, Ørjan Stedjeberg (aka. Hoest), charismatic founder of Taake. The artistic approach of these two men is virtually the same for both song writing and lyrics (in Norwegian only). Sometimes I even wonder if I’m not listening rather Bjoergvin … (2002) or Hordalands Doedskvad (2005). Holmengraa is however more than a trivial substitute. The tribute to the work of Hoest and his cronies is evident, but done with talent.

After an ambient introduction called Galgebakken, the song Rettersted demonstrates the seriousness of the group. It relies on solid black metal, Norwegian to the end of decibels. The compositions are built around repetitive passages, cut by very good riffs and rhythm that give this special touch, cold, hard and eerie, an almost trademark feature found on albums made by Taake. This is followed by a series of titles that demonstrate an exceptional maturity for a composer who makes his debut album. I Djevelen Menneskeform is trashy with a very catchy air, while Thingvellir is blacker, darker. Maanelyst in turn could be found on any album from Taake without anyone noticing. The album closes with Telehiv, crescendo shaped, culminating in a good rhythm and great guitar sound. To conclude the record, the group takes pleasure in playing Black Horizons, taken from the debut album of Dissection.

It is interesting to note that history and tradition, so dear to the inhabitants of Bergen, is also transposed into music that it carries. With his debut album, Blodhemn draws on sources of black metal from his native region, with an obvious respect for this precious heritage. Going far beyond simple plagiarism, Holmengraa proposes instead a synthesis of the best of what metal produced in the dark land of the fjords can offer. A great discovery, a band to watch. 8/10

Origninally written for metalobscur.com