It seems somewhat wrong that I hold in front of me a three track EP containing ten minutes worth of music and I have everything that has ever been or is likely to be released by a band. Apparently Norse trio Skapt Av Skog split up before they released anything at all but these are some old recordings seeing the light of day. I notice the way that Metal Archives refer to the band as “alleged” as though there is some doubt about them at all although the members are listed and if you follow the trail left by bass, guitarist, vocalist Amok it leads to other projects such as Gangrenator whose 2010 album ‘Tales From A Thousand Graves’ features on vocals none other than Mat “Kvohst” McMercenery. Anything else on this mysterious entity who apparently recorded these tracks which were due to be released on cassette in 1997 is however not forthcoming so it is just down to the music to focus on.
The first noticeable thing on opener ‘Mørket eier alt’ is the thick trembling bass definition which rumbles away and drew me in. I decided to turn the stereo up and found myself really shocked and jumping back as the vocals suddenly gurgle in with loud hellacious intent. Drums thud and guitars scythe away and this is a primitive sounding barrage of Norske Svart metal with a punk edge at times and a strong whiff of the likes of Dark Throne about it. The recording is good and very well defined and the song slows a bit and gets some groove on before furrowing back in reminiscent a fair bit of the aforementioned alongside the likes of early Carpathian forest and Taake. Something momentarily drops out the mix and quickly comes back in but this simply adds to the charm of it all. The self-titled band name track which the internet translates to a suitable ‘Created By Forest’ has some sharp guitar sound starting it off and an almost NWOBHM feel to it before being raped by the gurgling vocals. It’s a simple riff but one that works well, reminding me a bit of the likes of tracks from The Underground Resistance but it suddenly gets rabid and gallops off screaming and hideously shrieking away as though full moon lycanthropic madness has set in. Last up we have ‘I Natta’ slower, and with more low end at first before again being attacked by an injection of speed and stumbling off on a punch drunk flight through the trees, branches scratching at it as it canters along. Vocals are suitably up in the mix but show more restraint here, gravid and atmospherically working along with what evolves into a doom laden shroud of deep dreadful blackness.
Yep only a short amount of music but I found myself instantly enthralled by this and obviously there’s enough going on in it to give me plenty to say. Sure I would love to hear more but guess that is out of the question but for the time being click the link and hear this dug up Nordic treasure for yourself.
(7/10 Pete Woods)
http://www.norskmetal.net/skapt-av-skog-forgotten-treasure-from-the-90s
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