TRACK LISTING

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments:

1.  Ingen Vei Tilbake
2.  Djevelheim
3.  Mørkefødt
4.  Da Kvinnene Brant
5.  Djevelslatt
6.  Paakallelsen
7.  Vi Malte Verden I Sort
8.  Paktens End - I Satans Eie

Total playing time:  47:06

Release Date: June, 2011
Label: Aftermath Music

Djevel - Dødssanger

Reviewer: J. A. Burt

August 21, 2011

In a time when the genre of Black Metal seems to really be starting to show its age, fatigued by a near two decade oversaturation of mediocrity, weary from being spread thinner and thinner by the endless dilutions with post rock, thrash, doom, and ambient, it’s refreshing to hear a new band striving to succeed at the massive and thankless undertaking of writing and recording a traditional Black Metal record that rises, if even modestly, above the morass of the countless sub-par and forgettable releases cranked out each and every month.  Djevel’s thoughtful, well-executed debut album Dødssanger is an example of such a success.

A baleful guitar melody accompanied by the sounds of stormy weather and the malevolent sharpening of blades in the intro give way to the first actual song “Djevelheim” a feedback drenched and furious blast of tremolo picking wherein Kvelertak vocalist Erlend Hjelvik makes his rather powerful presence known.  Tempos vary throughout this and most of the other tracks on the album with the blasting sections alternating nicely with more mid-paced sections that really allow for a gratifying sense of balance within the songwriting.  No identified band member is listed as a percussionist, but it’s actually pretty hard to imagine that the drumming is all programmed.  If that is, in fact the case on Dødssanager than bravo to whomever did the job as the drums all sound very natural and deep in tone, and while not necessarily prone to flourish, are artfully crafted indeed.

Strains of Darkthrone as well as other bands of the classic Black Metal scene can be heard in the riffing on Dødssanger with tracks like “Mørkefødt” with its ominous chants, refreshingly audible bass guitar and surprisingly melodic tendencies and the dissonant, rocking “Da Kvinnene Brant” complete with Ophthalamia-inspired riffs and whispered vocal passages proving particularly inspiring.  Elsewhere, “Paakallelsen” emerges as perhaps one of the better black metal songs I’ve heard in a while.  Seemingly more than a little inspired by the driving, energetic music of Erlend’s other band; the song incorporates several very pleasing riffs and possesses a vitality nearly vacant in this type of music.  The clean vocals towards the end of the track get a little too out there for my liking, but they’re not problematic enough to ruin it completely. 

Djevel is by no means reinventing Black Metal with this release, nor is this the album that’s going to save the genre and serve to usher in some new golden age.  Dødssanger is merely a solid, earnest release of modern Black Metal that pays homage to the classic mentalities without succumbing to the modern trends and clichés hampering many of the new bands of the day.  Will some accuse the band of wearing their influences a little too brazenly upon their sleeves?  Perhaps, but the band undoubtedly pay their forebears a great deal of respect in the process.  Worth your support.