Style: Black metal
Primary Emotions/Themes: Natures glory, adherence to tradition
Thoughts: Black metal is such a fascinating genre for me. On one end you have band that outright refuse to evolve past the low fidelity roots of the genre, calling themselves true black metal and shunning any notion of progression.
On the other end you have bands that push the boundaries of what can be considered not only black metal, but music as a whole. Embracing dissonance and incorporating noise elements and unconventional song structures. This style is incredibly chaotic and requires multiple listens to begin to comprehend.
So where does that leave this release? This split leans towards the more traditional side of the genre. Both bands embrace the spirit of black metal: minor chords, less than stellar production and a deep respect for the bands and sound that preceded them. The execution between these two projects though is slightly different.
Gärgäntuäh is the faster of the two. Often utilizing blast beats and predictable chord progressions to convey their art. Where the band differentiates themselves though from the dime a dozen black metal acts is their use of additional instrumentation to break up the black metal.
At the beginning, mid point, and ending of the album Gärgäntuäh create absolutely stunning interlude pieces that elevate the music far beyond the typical confines of black metal. These pieces bring in the glory of the morning sunrise, the dew that is befallen on the forest leaves, and the stunning realization that nature is both the most beautiful and most frightening thing that we can witness on this planet.
Kastijder take a slower approach to their music. I don't recall a single blast beat on their side. This more methodical approach gives the band more time to let their ideas cultivate and grow. While not quite as engaging as Gärgäntuäh's side, the music contained here is still quite enjoyable to listen to. I simply find myself drawn to the other side of the split more frequently.
This split is something I got because of the cover alone. The singular cage hanging at a cross roads is a stunning picture and caught my attention. This music is not world shattering, but it is good. Above all, it knows exactly what it means to be black metal.
Written November 27th 2023
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