Gjenferdsel – Varde (2010) [Ketzer] // Grade: A

Not much is known about Gjenferdsel. Their story seems pretty tried and true these days. Two men born and raised in Norway got into black metal and formed a band in 2002. Seems like it’s a no-brainer that their newest album, Varde, would be an easy project. Preconceptions aside, Gjenferdsel really work for their sound. For 38 minutes, you’ll find yourself stomping and banging your pencil on your desk. Varde has a sound that’s in high demand these days and Gjenferdsel is doing a damn good job at producing a solid black metal album.

From the minute-long “Vardøger” to the catchy riffs in “Intet” all the way down the track list to “Desember,” each track toys with the Norwegian sound. You’ll hear bits of Mayhem, moments of Burzum and even some Emperor in there. Varde is no candy-coated metal album. It’s energetic as hell and the tracks just line up one after the other with non-stop blast beats and blood curling vocals. With tribal drum lines and distorted riffs “Iaktatt” makes way for “Nid” and before you know it, you’re on the last track, “Manngard.” After the song dissipates, you’re left fulfilled and energized, just like an Alka-Seltzer after a solid night of drinking.

I’m not pitching Varde as the best black metal release of the year, but it’s a damn good one. There’s no chin-scratching or deep meaning. In 38 minutes you’re torn through a frigid forest and brought up to speed on 20 years of black metal. There’s a little bit of everything in this album and that’s good enough for most people.

- Prolly