Kong vinter

Having been a fan of this band since I was thirteen, I always look forward to Hoest's newest release with Taake. Once again, he makes a stellar album filled with his signature blend of black metal and rock (but not quite black 'n' roll though), but also keeps everything fresh and different from Nattestid Ser Porten Vid or Noregs vaapen.

Going in to this album, I was extremely nervous about what was to follow. I was scared that it would disappoint me, which would have been a shame. However, I can more than safely say that the album was my favorite of last year. First, the instruments and production: For Taake, the production is quite muddy, especially comparing it to Noregs vaapen (which had crystal clear audio). Also, the production and the overall feel of the album gave me a demo-like feel for the album. The guitar tone is a nice change of sound. Rather than sounding like a higher pitched and more traditional black metal sound, Hoest went for more of a lower, almost Darkthrone inspired tone. Even some of the riffs sound like you'd hear them on a Darkthrone album.

There isn't nearly as much to say about the bass guitar until the final song on the album. Around 4:40 into the song, everything slows down, and then a little bass solo begins. Followed by a section out of a garage band jam or a classic rock album. The drumming has a very old school sound to them as well. The vocals sounded wretched, which may be due to Hoest aging, and with age comes vocal aging. However, I feel that they do fit the overall sound of the album. Not as much to say about vocals. I'd also like to note that six of the seven songs are longer than six minutes. Which gives Hoest more time to show off his skills as a musician. Writing interesting sections that might not have been on here if he made an album similar to his early work. The track Jernhaand, I believe, is the most interesting song on the album. It starts out with a really slow drag, before going in full force with every instrument. This is the song you'd most likely hear on a Darkthrone or older Gorgoroth album. The drumming is a lot more interesting here than on tracks like Sverdets vei and Inntrenger.

While not perfect, this album remains fresh, and doesn't retread too many steps Hoest has tread before on previous albums. I'd give it a 9.6/10.

Unfortunately, I missed my chance to get Taake's "Stridens hus" LP, as well as "Kulde" and "Baktanker" EPs. They're all still on my wantlist and I hope that one day I will be able to complete my vinyl collection of this fantastic Norwegian band. Meanwhile I got a chance to buy "Kong vinter", which is Taake's seventh full length. Did I have big expectations towards this record? Sure, I did. All in all, some of the previous albums of this project belong to the best Norwegian black metal ever released, especially such "Noregs vaapen" and "Hordalands doedskvad" are godly albums, definitely my favourites in Hoest's catalogue. As for "Kong vinter", I can say that it's good album, maybe even very good... but at the same time I cannot say that it's the peak of Taake's creativity and quality. There are of course many fragments, which confirm the talent of Hoest as composer, I love his characteristic riffs, vocals and the atmosphere he creates in his music. But at the same time I miss something here. Maybe it's the fact that the album is pretty slow paced, so it lacks a bit of that viciousness and aggression of previous albums is the reason? Here and there it just gets a bit monotonous. And it's one hour long record, man, which is a bit too much!

The biggest feeling of tired and monotonous material for me personally comes from songs titled "Huset i havet" and "Havet i huset", which are on side B of the double vinyl. They're solid songs, sure, with couple of great harmonies and riffs. It's classic Taake, but not the best I heard. When I listen to them, I feel like the music becomes too repetitive, if Hoest was circling around the same kind of ideas over and over again... I could really live without these two. Luckily songs like "Sverdets vei" are far better. This one contains one of the very few fast parts on the album, but also a lot of slower type of playing and again some surprising melodic stuff, so it's varied, but interesting song. And I like it a lot. "Inntrenger" is also great, even though it's much slower. But there's this cold, vicious and ultimately grim black metal, which Taake is best at. Great atmosphere, great riffs, great vocals... that's what I like. "Inntrenger" has very hypnotizing feel as well, with the way the riffs flow, especially in the opening, instrumental part of the song.

What else we have here? Well, first of all, there's "Jernhaand", which probably is my favourite track on the album, I love its Darkthrone'ish parts combined with classic Taake type of riffage, fast pace and cold, grim, misanthropic black metal aura. There's also "Fra Bjoergegrend mot glemselen", which is an instrumental, ten minutes long, epic song, which has some truly amazing harmonies, especially in the second part. I almost get "goose skin", when I hear these stunning riffs. Finally we get a bonus track, which is "On Top" - De Press cover. De Press are this weird Polish / Norwegian rock band, which I always found funny, especially with their songs like "Bo jo cie kochom", which are pretty popular here in Poland. I actually checked "On Top" in its original version, and it's quite bizarre song, so I'm surprised to hear Taake covering it. But hey! Last time they did The Cure cover, so maybe the times, when Hoest was doing covers of Burzum or Darkthrone are gone haha!

Generally "Kong Vinter" didn't surprise me with anything. It's rather typical Taake record. And not their best one, I'm afraid. But it's a good and solid album, with some good songs. I even like that cheesy front photograph. I don't think then that Taake will win many new listeners with this record. Haters will keep hating them, worshipers will still worship Taake. I like this band a lot.

Standout tracks: "Inntrenger", "Jernhaand", "Sverdets vei"
Verdict: 70/100

Few names bring forth images of cold greatness as the mighty Hoest. From Nattestid Ser Porten Vid, to Stridens Hus, the man has consistently released a seven track album every three years. Musically speaking, each of these albums have had their own unique atmosphere, and yet still retain that "Taake" feel. So how does the newest effort stack up to his previous work?

Kong Vinter is as Taake as it gets as far as the music and atmosphere go. Hoest once again takes Taake to new heights, filling his music and riffs with black metal, through and through. However, this time he builds upon the more classic rock undertones of Stridens Hus, and even offers some progressive elements. The riffs compliment one another, with some feeling quite groovy, often leading into the cold and frosty ones so known to longtime Taake fans. Folk undertones have also been a staple of Taake's music, and that still sits with Kong Vinter, although admittedly slightly less so. Nevertheless, Kong Vinter shows fantastic musicianship, with Hoest manning all instruments on the record, as well as vocals. The guitar tones are similar to those of Stridens Hus, with a bit more growl. On the other hand, the bass is quite a bit more distorted than previous releases, and this meshes well with the slightly cleaner guitars. The drumming is phenomenal as always, with time and tempo changes abound, plenty of double bass and blast beat work, dancing with the more groovy parts of the record. And Hoest's vocals are as bestial and demonic as ever, with some fantastically frantic spots on tracks such as Jernhaand.

All in all, I'd say that while this is by no means my favorite Taake release, it is a worthy addition to Hoest's ever expanding catalog. Some favorite tracks: Havet i Huset, Fra Bjoergegrend mot Glemselen, Inntrenger, Jernhaand