Of all the big names on the Norwegian black metal scene, Vemod are ones who might not be considered as notorious as those who put their homeland on the global metal stage over 30 years ago. The fact Vemod have only been going since the turn of the century might be the reason for this, but they are a band whom most lovers of classic black metal might miss out on as they aren’t as prominent when it comes to naming default Scandinavian black metal artists.
And it is because of this that, I’d say, is the reason their music output is so sporadic and somewhat mysterious. A mystery they have maintained on their sophomore release: The Deepening. It’s interesting that this album comes out 12 years after their last release “Venter på stormene”. Maintaining a level of anonymity is nothing new in black metal but keeping it borderline maintains an intrigue which led to me wanting to give it a review.
And what a piece this turned out to be. Winter, nature and the cold are all very common and well received themes in extreme metal, but Vemod take an interesting mix of the atmospheric and the melodic which borders onto the world of dungeon synth but doesn’t forget its guitar basis.
The Deepening, to put it bluntly, is how you personify a lost soul trudging through an endless tundra. A tundra laden with rich mythologies and legends such as the Nordic myths that populate the ever growing ranks of black metal from Scandinavia and beyond.
Listening to Vemod has always felt like a journey into a world of mythical wonderment and this felt like a journey to take on a cold winter’s night when one seeks solace and fortitude when feeling lost and lonely. We have here, a grand piece of loner music that will take one on a wonderful adventure which will motivate the imagination the way black metal knows best.
A fascinating piece of music from a fascinating band which keeps you hooked however extended the song lengths.
(8/10 Demitri Levantis)
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