Digipack released in 150 copies.
13 years after their debut album, and 20 since their iconic first demo, the Belgian tyrants finally released their second LP.
A duo formed by Nihil and Ghoul, who are also behind the great Eole Noir and involved in acts like Hertogenwald, release another killer record of Black Metal primitivism and worship to the olden days.
55 minutes of archaic, cold malignancy, portraying tormentuous soundscapes of dead nature and desolation. Delivered by excellent, sometimes melodious but mostly letargic and abyssal riffage, which definitely shares similarities with some French acts like Saatkrähe or Nehëmah but also with a tone and atmosphere reminiscing with BBH legends, Raven Dark.
Everything about this feels old...old and decrepit...old and vengeful...old and tragic... I suppose some may even consider this style of black metal "old" too, in the sense that the riffs and rhythms are fairly straightforward, lacking excessive dissonance and complex rhythms. What Nartvind have accomplished here is an album that is dripping in atmosphere and feeling. However, atmosphere and feeling is not the only thing that they have accomplished; the riff composition and songwriting on here are stellar. In brief, the atmosphere and musical qualities make this a highly memorable album, and one that is going to really, really resonate with a certain crowd.
Formed back in 2001, Nartvind has had a infrequent release schedule, with their first demo being in 2003 and their debut record in 2010. The next time we'd hear from them would be in the form of a split in 2020, and then with the present album. What makes this second album even more special, to me, is how "realized" it is. The first LP hinted at what could be. The members other project, Eole Noir, further demonstrated that these guys could increase the complexity and melody. On Breath of the Night, we finally get what is in my opinion their masterpiece. So, now to break down the individual elements and why I think as a whole, they make this album what it is.
Starting with the riffs, they can be described as generally melodic and varied. To give an incomplete example, certain riffs can sound incredibly tragic ("towards the ruins"), aggressive (death struggle), hypnotic (shattered roots), and/or haunting (wethrin ), etc. If pressed to give a more precise overall description of the riffing, I'd say it's "graceful"; a refined, simple elegance that carries a sense of grandeur. The style also reminds me of early-to-mid 2000's French black metal, which holds a special place in my heart, not only because I like that sound, but because that was some of the earliest black metal I was exposed to (I got into black metal back when that stuff was coming out). The drumming is likewise great. Tastefully minimal, allowing the guitars to take front and center, which fits the style perfectly. Tempos vary, from slow, doom paces to slower blasts (think Darkthrone). What I really, really appreciate is that individual riffs and song parts don't overstay their welcome. They are repeated enough times to make them memorable and at times hypnotic, then transition-- and let me tell you, as someone who's been listening to black metal for a long fucking time, this is a skillful and crucial technique. The album as a whole varies amongst song styles as well. Guess what, vocals rule too! We're treated with throaty lows, raspy mids and jagged highs. I don't know if both members are contributing here or just one, but I adore the vocals and they suit the atmosphere perfectly.
Last but not least is the production. The production plays a significant role in making this sound "old." It makes the music sound lightly obfuscated, spectral, but probably most of all, buried. Despite this, the music is nonetheless clear. Moderately seasoned black metal folk shouldn't have a hard time picking out the riffs. Achieving such a sound is impressive... I've recorded black metal before, and I got to say, to get it to sound like this is actually quite impressive, considering how even the cheapest of mics sound pretty decent these days. Especially the drums-- it sounds like it was recorded behind several feet of foam padding! It also sounds like it was recorded to tape.
In conclusion, if you like your black metal grim, atmospheric, varied yet simple, you'll find a lot to like here. I hope the Nartvind guys are proud of this one, as they should be. I also hope they continue on and we see more of them sooner rather than later.
Sample: youtube.com/watch?v=FoB8pp-JWzQ&t=808s
