Carinthia Obscura - Die Lieder der brennenden Nacht

Svartalfar is a name probably even black metal purists have not often seen mentioned. Despite this fact they were formed nearly 25 years ago. After a long break they came back with a new album in 2021 titled “Geisterwerk” which was a pleasant surprise. Three years later they have followed up with their newest work “Carinthia Obscura – Die Lieder der brennenden Nacht” in which they tell some dark and twisted folkloristic tales about their region. With the artwork kept in mystical blue and obscure track titles it is obvious that this album contains some nihilistic and pure blackened music.

An aspect that I noticed from the beginning is the rawer nature of the production. To be honest it took a while to get used to the sound and while I still would argue that the more dynamic mix of “Geisterwerk” does the music better favor the song material here makes more than up for it. One attribute Svartalfar have developed over their past work is the knack for throwing out melody sequences that are incisive and memorable, but carry a somehow strange and dark undertone. There is something subtly obscure in the way the lead guitar harmonies have been written, but overall, everything is put into a very traditional context.

This album is intense, melodic, and unique in its own right, and whilst drawing on the sounds of some greats it is imbued with its own definitive indestructible prowess. Sometimes snarling screams accompany sharp, fast-picked riffs and thunderously fast and precise drumming, but often the deep atmosphere and mid-tempo grooves dominate large parts of the record. Certain tracks show an elegant side, as well as a deceptively melodic underbelly. Sequences like the beginning of “In schwarzer Stille” are exceptional and perfectly reflect what this band is all about. Svartalfar are not afraid to work with slightly untypical patterns and melody lines to get across their own vision, but at its heart their music stays very close to the genre’s roots.

The guitars dictate most parts, and they are raw and melodic, not unsimilar to what you might expect from Finnish black metal. The harmonies keep drenching the listener with dream-like nostalgia, sometimes even guiding the listener into glorious spiritual and otherworldly territory. There are some calmer passages, but at the same time the music is always bleak and miserable as well. The nihilistic riffing is combined with bright layers of melody, with a certain degree of melancholy being present all the way through. When things get straighter forward Svartalfar are surging forward into whip-tight blasts, before falling back into restrained sections of somber riff work. This album is is a prime example of the effective marriage of both elements, the grim and cold nature of classic black metal and the emphasis on atmosphere and surprisingly heart-warming melodies.

“Carinthia Obscura – Die Lieder der brennenden Nacht“ is a brooding piece of occult yet also catchy music that proceeds through stalking beats and a mass of sinister, deleterious riffage. It is a sinister and at times unsettling experience, but one that brings enjoyment to the dark hearts of real black metal fans. The squirming and swiveling bits of melody that recur throughout the album are what makes it a memorable listen, and while some moments and songs might be superiorly constructed to others the whole record in its entirety has a fantastic flow and never gets boring. It is safe to say that Svartalfar will make themselves a name within the genre in case they keep going and won’t disappear for another decade. Also in case you know a bit of German it pays off to dive into the lyrics which are really well written and bring some old tales to life.