Dutch extreme metal is in a rude state of health at the moment, and while the immediate focus may go towards the pummelling death metal scene, there is a hotbed of quality black metal bands lurking in the undergrowth, just waiting to ensnare those who dare to venture too close.

This split EP features two leading proponents of this underground movement. Kjeld are up first, contributing three tracks followed by two tracks from Wederganger. Hailing from Frisia and Guelders in the Lowlands of Holland respectively makes these bands natural allies to collaborate, just as their forefathers were allied together against the Duke of Burgundy during the Guelders Wars in the 16th century.
Things kick off with Kjeld’s ‘Banier’ and a blast of uncompromising black metal. While managing to preserve a primitive feel with chunky riffs, battering percussion and snarling vocals there is an undercurrent of rhythm and melody which sets this apart from many of their peers.
‘Wanskepsel’ introduces more atmospheric elements to the mix with great success, giving this track many layers to strip away during each listen, hearing more each time until such time that it is well ingrained in your subconscious.
Kjeld’s contribution ends with ‘Keningsein’, which begins with a mid-paced pulsating rhythmic intro before the the main segment of the song is unleashed with the most aggressive passage on the EP before building into a tsunamic black metal climax.

Wederganger have a tough act to follow, but they do not try to compete, rather they introduce their own brand of slower paced “Undeath Metal”. To my ears, this is still black metal, but it’s not worth arguing about – Whatever it is, it’s good!
After a deliberately plodding opening, the pace on ‘Laaiende Haat’ soon picks up and some intriguing, haunting melodies are introduced sitting well alongside clean but snarled vocals and even some chanting, making this a complex piece of black metal art worthy of your full attention. Things are brought to close with the ‘De Galgenberg’ whose hypnotic rhythm serves as the skeleton from which the rest of the track is hung. Again clean, almost spoken, vocals rub shoulders with more traditional black metal vitriol, and at times, this could almost be a gothic metal track, while at others it is furious black metal. The contrast and fusion of these styles works well.

This split release brings together two contrasting facets of black metal, both equally compelling, both equally relevant and both well worth a listen!

(9/10 Andy Pountney) 

https://www.facebook.com/Kjeldblackmetal

https://www.facebook.com/Wederganger

https://wederganger.bandcamp.com