On the surface the port city of Halmstad Sweden looks like a nice place to visit and if you were to type it into an image search there are nice scenes of waterways, bustling streets with stalls and bars, gothic architecture, windmills and even a sunny looking beach and pier. However not everyone who lives there would agree that it’s all pleasant and rosy. No doubt you are well aware of the black sheep of the largest populated city of the country. Mr happy aka Niklas Kvarforth even penned his magnum opus in disgust of the place and his band Shining are never likely to be endorsed by the local tourist industry as a welcome to the city band. Similarly, misanthropic is one Rasmus Rolling, another denizen of the place who also with his band Winter Willow delivered a single that is dedicated to the area. You may not have heard of him although he has numerous outfits such as Heiðinn and Gråtfärdig to his name and would no doubt give Niklas a run for his money in the miserable son of a bitch stakes. I wonder if they are friends, after all misery loves company.
Preamble over we are concentrating here on the existential agony of his sole project Winter Willow. Apparently he had previously decided to dig a large hole and bury this project deep within the woods forevermore but had a change of heart after recharging batteries. Having more to say or indeed moan about, back he is once more. We are informed that the outfit was at first DSBM but now is best described as depressive post rock. I wouldn’t get too upset about that as although there is little in the way of blackened violence about this album it has all the DSBM tropes we know and love. Vocals range from spoken word to angsty snarling screams, weeping, sobs and no doubt even gnashing of teeth. Melodies are simplistic by nature but at times absolutely beautiful. Track titles translate to the likes of ‘Disappointed In Life,’ ‘Suicidal Thoughts For Morning Coffee’ (which is frankly brilliant and completely understandable) and ‘Deliberately Unhappy.’
It’s an easy album to fall in love with too if you have a mind that never relaxes and borders on all the pessimism life throws at you. Lovers of Lifelover, Vanhelga, Silencer et al will no doubt melt at the gloomy yet paradoxically uplifting emotions portrayed within and find themselves suitably addicted to give this repeated spins. It has plenty of bi-polar mannerisms within its heartfelt six tracks and is a fantastically emotive listening experience. From the maudlin piano melody of Självmordstankar till Morgonkaffet (which typing into google had 1st hit directing towards the Samaritans with the words ‘help is available’) to the quirky post punk early Cure gallop within ‘Medvetet Olycklig,’ this album is an absolute delight. Existentiell Vånda really hit the spot as far as I’m concerned and I’m glad Rasmus decided to resurrect them. Now I’m off to listen to the back catalogue via links below.
(8/10 Pete Woods)
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