Løyndom

Complete creative control is an ideal for many artistic people because of how rarely it is available. Compromises with labels, collaborators, scene pressures and work schedules can work against any set of ideas. That is where the “one man band” tradition in heavy metal comes in. “Løyndom,” a new offering from grand old Norway, is harvested, prepared, cooked and served by none other than Vreid’s own Ese (who did not serve with the beloved Valfar) in his project Slegest. What results is an unfussy and straightforward work that will sate the needs of the individual looking for the very same.

Ese’s intent with Slegest is to create a hybrid combination of old school black metal and classic heavy metal/hard rock. And he succeeds quite well, because “Løyndom” ends up very contemporary (the mash up grows more popular by the moment) while also being classicist. We are treated to an opening riff on ‘Ho som haustar aleine’ that would not be out of place on a latter day Iron Maiden album, which is soon rounded out by gruff vocals akin to the newest phase of Darkthrone’s storied career. The central melody/coda of ‘I slike stunder’ is straight out of Black Sabbath’s playbook (almost quoting the bent guitar tone of the band’s eponymous masterwork) and is also a highlight. However, one cannot help but feel that more can come of a person of Ese’s talent and perhaps he is still searching for the right way to express himself by his own rules.

The album is somewhat simplistic overall, even when it picks up some steam in its middle section as the textures and complexity ratchets up a bit. Case in point is the beautiful ‘Faceless Queen.’ It succeeds in developing itself past the “classic metal riffs with black metal vocals” tagline to include some well-needed tremolos with its leads and a more urgent rhythm. ‘Path of No Return’ makes use of the melodic and flows easily into the ear. Even these two tracks feel somewhat underwhelming compared to what they promise. Fans of this sub-genre will likely take something away from this, but for the rest a promise of continual development will have to do. And with complete creative control, who knows where Slegest may go in the future.

Originally Published In Metalegion Magazine:
www.metalegion.com/content/issue-1/