When looking at the releases that the members of Dold Vorde Ens Navn have been responsible for over the years, one cannot help but be impressed. Starting by the vocals, Vicotnik is a legend in black metal, if nothing else for his work on Dødheimsgard and Ved Buens Ende alone, two of the mightiest names in the genre’s history; it was indeed on DHGthat Dold Vorde Ens Navn’s bassist last had a release in the genre, with the band marking a return to the scene of Cerberus, who had last played on 1994’s EP «Satanic Art». Myrvoll handles drums and, while younger than the rest, has played or still does with the likes of DHG, Nidingr, Ved Buens Ende, Myrkur, and Fleurety; finally there’s Haavard, Ulver‘s guitarist throughout until 1998’s «Themes from William Blake’s The Marriage of Heaven and Hell», who had left metal since then. His involvement with Dold Vorde Ens Navn meant that at least one guitarist from the legendary «Bergtatt» and «Nattens Madrigal» albums was back in the genre. This all sounds rather intimidating a line-up to start a band with, but that’s not the case. It started, as these things tend to, over drinks. Drinks between two friends, Haavard and Cerberus, who had a desire to write some music together. They reached out to friends old and new for vocals, lyrics and drums, and in 2019 released their first EP, «Gjengangere i hjertets mørke».

As the press release for their upcoming debut LP explains, this “was in part a testimony to the scene that had defined their youth. But for all its immediacy, harboured within its lightning-rod rampages and volatile, apocalyptic-prophet diatribes, was a stew of idiosyncrasies, hints of a greater sonic scope and wracked emotional perspectives.” Some time passed after that, the world plunged into isolation via pandemic, and the quartet are now set to release their first proper album. It’s called « Mørkere», its artwork can be seen below and it is said to be “rooted in 90s black metal.” Now, with those involved on it, that statement does not mean the usual derivative bullshit, after all, the records some of them put out in that decade would still be seen as forward thinking today.

The text goes on to say that “the range of dynamics and textures throughout this album – the dramatic escalations and the discipline with which they hold to a beat; the utilising of mid-paced grooves made gripping by the conviction driving them on; and the shifts in tone proving as unforced and holistic as a weather front – are not just the mark of a band in full control of their art. They are stages of an emotional journey that is meticulously charted through scenic routes lead to most unexpectedly rewarding pastures.” Where does this leave us? To start, with a hell of a single, «Løgnens abstinenser», and then with a few months to wait until the full album comes out.

«Mørkere» is set for release on November 12 via Lupus Lounge | Propechy Productions on cd, digital, and vinyl formats. Pre-orders can be found here.