Unavngivet

Although 2021 is shaping up to become a hell of a year when it comes to black metal I keep stumbling upon overlooked gems from last year. Glemsel are one such example. Hailing from Denmark they seem to be a pretty newish outfit as they have only formed in 2019 and based on the information available the members have not really been involved in other projects. Their first output “Unavngivet” is listed as EP, but consisting of seven tracks and nearly 30 minutes of playing time you could also compare it to a lot of full lengths. Also there is a lot going on within the timeframe of this release giving the listener the feeling of having consumed a larger dose of black metal goodness than he actually has done.

This is one of those albums which nicely reflect the genre's tropes and rewards devout listeners and fans of the classic Scandinavian school of second wave fare. It comes with a stellar production, having just the right amount of reverb to give the music a distant and mournful feeling while not taking anything away from the fantastic lead harmonies. Of course Glemsel borrow a lot from their mature and famous peers, but this does not stop them from producing grandiose moments and some very well crafted black metal songs. It is hard to believe that this is the first effort by this band as Glemsel deliver a near-perfect combination of heaviness, catchy harmonies and a cold and haunting atmosphere with ease.

Glemsel have found a way to balance the ferocious blasts and classic tremolo runs with something that comes across more epic than what you might find on your average modern Scandi black metal record. They create exciting sound-worlds which truly capture a bleak and mystical imagination. Starting with the album opener " Dødsværk," it's clear that these guys are on the right path. There is no time wasted on an intro, instead the first set of riffs delivers a traditional yet somehow unique sequence. Glemsel tend to slow things down a few times in the middle of the tracks, and they have impressed me with some really nice build-ups despite the single songs being only around three minutes long. The two exemptions are second track “Ligegyldigheden" and number six “En Sidste Bøn” which delivers some really cool moments over more than seven minutes.

The music here pays tribute to black metal in the grand old style, providing a firm foundation, but it is the band's willingness to add a few twists and variation to the well working formula which earns Glemsel a lot of credit in my books. I have been deeply impressed how fantastic the songwriting is on “Unavngivet”, given that we are talking about a completely new band. There never bores as Glemsel keep switching from melodic trilling to catchy grooves and more ambient sections with ease. One last aspect that deserves mentioning is the vocal work, which comes across strong and powerful and seems like a natural fit. Rounded off by a stunning cover artwork this album comes with a high recommendation from my side and while not being the most innovative release it is just such a pleasure to consume. Very well done stuff and I will keep an eye on Glemsel and whatever they will present next, that’s for sure.