I suspect that this Norwegian band has slipped completely under the radar like a stealth bomber for most metal fans outside of their Norwegian homeland for at least their first three full lengths or at least until they signed to Indie Recordings and subsequently released ” Black Arts & Crooked Tails” as their first truly international release in 2012 which was quickly followed by “Songs Of The Buried” out in the same year. This is the year I picked up on the band and bought those two releases, though obtaining the first three has proved elusive even to this hardened buyer of obscure music. The band is unique as their song writing proves, difficult to pin down to any particular genre Dunderbeist break genre boundaries by encapsulating enigmatic songs that flow within the limitations laid down by the band and not any simplistic genre tagging.
Having been released as single the opening tune “Skaubror” is typical of the band, clean cut guitar work with native tongue lyrics the song is hard rock personified within an art rock aura as the tune dips into semi acoustic reverence. If I knew Norwegian I’d sing my heart out as the tune is thoroughly dark yet uplifting and sets the tone for this sixth album, whose album title translates as hypocrite, supremely well. Continuing with “Gryta” the tune delves into a heavier side that reminds of old grunge outfits like Soundgarden before they hit worldwide stardom. Crests and troughs within the music are invigorating as their uniqueness for quirky riffs shows no bounds as the album explores the dark side of humanity within a sonic landscape that is embellished with a multitudinous array of tones as displayed by the vocal display on “Punktum Mortale” which is stupendous. The groove of the music reminds of their compatriots Audrey Horne with that heartening warming feeling these type of bands bring to the listener yet still retaining a dark shadow within the mood like “Groms” demonstrates so perfectly.
Hand claps start “Langsint (Og Tresk)” with a coarser vocal line before the riff comes in; tuneful and engaging the song reveals another side to the band as the harmony vocal proves but also with the driving riffing that pervades within the song only for a wonderful backing vocal to appear ghostly within the mix. I felt that the soft introduction to “Sjøldestruksjon” was Anathema like with the acoustic guitar and vocals being sombre and steeped in an ambience of solemnity that is very touching. The second single released from the album is “Slagord” and sees the band return to their heavier side contrasting starkly with the previous tune, the self assuredness Dunderbeist holds within their ability to jar the listener with such digressive tunes is tantamount to their song writing ability which is unequalled within this field of euphuistic rock dexterity. Bouncing and flouncing is “Spaan” with a folk like vocal introduction and gentle guitar hook entangled within the paganistic drum work before the riff takes centre stage and captivates with its precisely defined tunefulness much like the massively under rated and now sadly defunct Green Carnation.
2015 has already released some absolutely breathtaking albums from Keep Of Kalessin, Enslaved, Solefald and Marduk to name a few and now this from Dunderbeist is going to make top choices for 2015 extremely difficult indeed and if this band is new to you then I strongly urge, in fact I insist, you check them out immediately including their back catalogue, if you can get it, as you will be hooked instantly.
(9/10 Martin Harris)
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