Istapp - Blekinge

Still the hotbed for all things black metal, Sweden produces Istapp, who in turn produces its first full-length Blekinge, a rousing dark opus that breaks tradition by offering, of all things unimaginable, good production and catchy melodic tunes worthy of the homeland’s approval.

Dissection, Vinterland, Unleashed, Morbid and Entombed are just a few of the bands that put Sweden on the black metal map over the years, but the current ‘trend’ has lost its luster and initial charm with an endless inundation of subpar bands that have all but killed the medium. Istapp, a pretty competent trio, manages to satiate the melodic black fans in us all with some pretty stylish, thinker’s metal music.

“1160 (Miovik)” reminds me of a slower Vinterland with its cold, defeating tone that blasts into your face like a quick winter gust from out of nowhere, a definite plus on this album. In fact, if you care to picture a slower, more orchestrated Welcome My Last Chapter you have Blekinge. While nothing might match that album for complete majesty, this one poses a formidable peer. “I Väntan På Den Absoluta Nollpunkten” has a very fine mix of harsh vocals that splice nicely with a clean tone that is Viking/pagan inspired.

To be honest, in the last couple of years Metal Blade has surprised me with its stable of bands that are proving to be the next stellar crop of metal taking extreme music to the next logical level. All of the songs are in the Swedish dialect as well, providing an even richer experience in the Scandinavian lore that is Viking-laden black metal. I certainly think that fans of the aforementioned bands will enjoy what Istapp is offering.

Standouts on Blekinge include “Evig Köld Koncentrerad”, “1160 (Miovik)” and “Snö”, which reverberates in your head like a mid-Eighties speed assault that Venom might only have hoped to write post Black Metal. When it slows towards the end the atmosphere is charged with a strange energy, building up to the inevitable explosion that, while predictable, is what the album is all about: unrelenting cold metal anthems that move like a storm.

I think Metal Blade signed itself a winner here amidst a ton of late-comers and flat-out fakes so grab this one when you can.         

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*Comments:

August 18, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

Release Date: June 8, 2010
Label: Metal Blade Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Vinterriket
2.  Köldens Union
3.  1160 (Miovik)
4.  I Väntan På Den Absoluta
      Nollpunkten
5.  Evig Köld Koncentrerad
6.  Snö
7.  Fjällhöga Nord
8.  Bortgång Af Alvrödul,
     Ljusets Förfall
9.  -
10.  Blekinge

Total playing time:  37:57