I first discovered this band through their “De tiid hâldt gjin skoft”EP. I found some very interesting nuances to the opening song by the same name. Starting with a somehow odd (for black metal standards) drum pattern, dynamic heavy riffing gives way to a softer passage with some cool bass lines underneath joined by a grave-like smooth chant which adds some unexpected charm to the proceedings. Later on, heaviness is re-taken and the song is bring to a satisfactory end. This experience and the fact that Kjeld seems to discard entirely old notions of how “true” black metal should sound in favor of a more modern approach lead me to seek their first full length “Skym”.
After listening to this record many times I found myself well satisfied with the purchase. Skym possesses most of the interesting dynamics found on the EP. Drumming is superb and carries the album forward with aplomb. There are also interesting instrumental passages here and there that help avoid monotony (a common trait of modern sounding metal). Likewise, just as with the EP, the record is started with an odd drum pattern joined by some strung-out guitars which may seem to be more at home at a more violent or physically appealing metal sub-genre, however I don’t find this clashing with the overall experience you are supposed to get from a black metal record, moreover, it adds diversity to it.
Speed, varying tempos and riffing techniques, a strong vocal performance and a very gifted rhythm section helps paint Kjeld as a competent band, much more than your average clone black metal bands incapable of breaking molds or get past clichés from the genre. Most importantly, Kjeld is a band on the rise which means that they should be able to improve themselves on future recordings.
Now that we get into this, Skym is not without its weaknesses. Once you get pass enthusiastic first listenings and get to subsequently listen to the record in a deeper much focused way you find that guitars players perhaps could improve their game. Passages where the leads should be the main protagonist are somehow underwhelming. You get the feeling that guitar leads should stand out more amidst instrumentation found. There is even the feeling that sometimes the leads are performed by keyboards instead. Not that this is a bad thing per se, but you get to wonder why they have to resort to this on a full formed band with five members.
Overall, the goods beat the bads on Skym. This is a commendable record for underground enthusiasts. Make sure to also check Swerc’s side-project Tarnkappe. Great stuff as well.