By Bona Pjarren
Bhleg, a proto-Indo-European word for “to shine” was originally conceived in 2007 by S and L, although it wasn’t until 2013 that their conceptualized project took physical form. Drawing from both individual and shared experiences of the dream world, altered states of consciousness, and astral journeys they created ‘Draumr Ást’ – a title which sprung from precisely such circumstances.
Another mutual voyage into the realm of spirit took place during the recording of ‘Draumr Ást’, when the duo underwent a visionary cycle during which the four seasons, in successive turns, took shape through them. Nature in her most primal form, expressing herself from a physical, mental, and spiritual perspective – surging through both S and L as they were swept away by the currents.
‘Vårdträdet’ is the first track of this fifth album and means “the care tree”. A gentle instrumental introduction building in intensity to a point where it launches into a full-on metal piece. I liked the way it transitioned from one thing into another.
‘Grönskande Gryning’ means “lush dawn” and is an epic track that gets straight into it with no messing. Full on metal thrash with male harmonized voices floated ethereally above. The shouted vocals soon follow as a means to introduce the grunted aspects of the lyrical delivery. The various changes of tempo really give a feel of being on a journey but considering the length of the track it really needed these variations and the acoustic breakdown was a welcome change of pace.
‘Alyr i Blom’ I have no translation for, but I believe it might be two names, Alyr and Blom. Again, the song rips straight in with a frantic intensity off set by some nice melodic trem picked guitar work. The initial vocals are soulful interspersed with grunted lyrics. Again it is a track that takes the listener on a black metal journey intersperesed with folk orientated or more progressive metal interludes.I liked the accoustic fadeout at the end.
‘Befruktad Jord’ means “fertilized soil” and begins in a very folky ambient way before going through the gears to hit a black metal crescendo. The trem picked melodic guitar is offset by the gravelly grunted vocal. Baritone harmonies also add another dimension. There is a definite Viking metal feel to the breakdown before it introduces a more progressive rock feel with clean vocals. It then launches back into a more traditional black metal passage. Bhleg certainly don’t do things by halves and have obviously spent a lot of time and effort into crafting these tracks.
‘Solvigd’ I have no translation for but may be a female name. It is hauntingly folky with ethereal female vocals, guitar and frame drums that gradually build as the piece progresses. I believe this track was written as a transition piece for ‘Frö’. Frö means “seed” and is an intense assault of black metal mayhem that soars and dives in frenzied melodies. The guitar work is exceptional and really brings the song to life, it could easily become dirgy without it. The breakdown adds a surreal tribal spookiness to the proceedings. There seems to be a formula to the writing of heavy section, breakdown/slower section, heavy section. Although this track does have a refrain of the breakdown at the end.
The final track is ‘Fagna Sumr’ which means “celebrate summer” and is a fairly short track in comparison with some of the other songs. It has some interesting samples which sort of give a strange rhythm to the spiritual vocal harmonised washes. It really is very summery in a strange sort of way and is very meditative.
I liked this album and feel it has many very interesting elements to it. While some of the composition is, as stated earlier, a little predictable I do feel that this does not distract from the song writing. I definitely recommend giving this a listen.
- ‘Fäghring’ is out now. You can get your copy HERE.
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