Nordland are a one man UK black metal band masterminded by Vorh and this will be their first release having previously been issued in extremely limited form as a CD-r. This version also arrived on CD-r noted in marker pen and with the inserts slightly badly printed on uncut A4 which meant my aging eyes found the lyrics tricky so I have to pass on those. Not the greatest first impression you’ll get. Still, I’m not reviewing for the Guardian classical music pages either, and the inserts looked like they are probably rather good in a very traditional black metal way, so in it went.
I always like it when my assumptions based on first impressions are proved complete bollocks. It’s something that is always good to be reminded of; books, covers, judgment. That kind of thing.
‘Voscara’ begins with a nicely recorded intro of trickling water and wind over a surprisingly rich, slow guitar sound. This sedately steps into a very Burzum like cold riff and half spoken, rasped vocals. The production is frosty and bright, the song really rather good in a ‘Filosofem’ period style. It is atmospheric and neatly paced, has a really good use of some horn like keyboards and it does draw you in with cynicism parked firmly at the gates. Through ‘Thule’ and ‘Morth’ the sound shifts with glacial like steps into a much, much more Immortal style sound and world. From the blizzard-like riffs to the vocal rasp taking on that almost conversational style and even down be to lyrics of kingdoms looking down this is right at the heart of winter with just the high edge of the guitar harking back to the Burzum edge.
This is actually the biggest criticism I have of this rather enjoyable debut; it not only wears its Norwegian influences on its sleeve but sometimes sails perilously close to the rocks of too much worship. Ultimately what saves it for me is that the execution is great and those parts which show that there is a different and exciting Nordland personality which rises here and there are exciting. This is strongest in the pulsing mid section of the title track and the guitar leads it toys with; the sadly underused keyboards throughout the album which never cut away the attack but seriously add to the atmosphere and flow; and just that certain something which you only get from music when there is a focus and imagination at work. The closing piece ‘Nord Uliima’ is a bleak but atmospheric soundscape that shows ambient ambitions without being a jarring change of mood and just reinforces the impression that Nordland are on to something rather good.
Yes the album is a bit long; the vocal style whilst excellent tends to over focus the Immortal sound and it never escapes its influences for long. But: the songs are very, very good on the whole, the execution is excellent and the atmosphere is enveloping. Add in those passages of real personality and what you have is a very encouraging debut indeed. Not there yet, lots of work to do but, still, all the right stones to build on and already better than many. Good stuff. I hope Vorh returns soon.
(7/10 Gizmo)
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