By Bona Pjarren
Drott is comprised of Arve Isdal, from Enslaved, Ivar Thormodsæter, of Ulver, and Matias Monsen. With their varied musical background ranging from metal and jazz to classical music, the group, established in 2020, released their self-titled EP in March 2021. The first full-length album, ‘Orcus’ was released in the Autumn of the same year, and they have now followed it up with this second offering to the metal gods.
‘Troldhaug’ is the first track on the album and is full of atmosphere before breaking into a heavier section. Full of foreboding it is a brooding instrumental. ‘Allting’ takes over where ‘Troldhaug’ left off: big chugging riffs with atmospheric keys washes.
‘Våkenatt’ is straight in with another big chugging riff, accented by floated notes. Strange vocals haunt the composition. It is a rather nice piece. ‘Til Stein’ has big doomy chords and a roving melody that resolves into something more driving. It is full of brooding atmosphere.
‘Det Ser’ plods heavily along like a locomotive before opening up its melody. ‘Solskodde’ was designed to run straight on from ‘Det Ser’ and has loads of ethereal key washes before it takes off. ‘Mara’ is a strange little interlude between tracks.
The titular ‘Troll’ is a playful track with a musical sense of humour. It lumbers along in a very pleasing way. ‘Nattas Blot’ is another strange little track with a spooky feel. Full of foreboding it is a great doom instrumental. ‘Sabbat’ has almost a church feel in an unhinged sort of way. It is elusive in its complexity. It opens up into something ecstatic with ethereal vocal washes.
‘Fornjots Born’ runs on from ‘Sabbat’ and develops a darker, spookier side. Feels a bit like a dance macabre. Haunting notes are floated over a chugging metal backdrop. There is some nice cello work at the end. ‘Grotten’ is altogether a lighter, more playful song with a folk/classical style melody. ‘Natt’ is the final track on the album and is a strange drone type piece with a classical feel.
So, Drott have managed to compose something quite unique. It is an album full off brooding doom laden riffs with classical and jazz influences. All the tracks are instrumentals which adds to its avant-garde appeal.
‘Troll’ is not an album that can be fully appreciated on its first listen, there is a lot going on, a certain complexity to its construction. There is a lot to recommend this album. So if you like something a bit different then this should be to your taste.
‘Troll‘ is released on 19 May.
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