Labels: Nordvis Produktion
Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital
Release Date: 17 Jan 2025
Tracklist:
1. Satans rötter
2. Metamorfos
3. Urgravens grepp är hårt och kallt
4. Hem
5. Vindar från förr
6. Den sanna modern talar
Swedish black metal project Häxkapell released their second full-length in January via Nordvis Produktion, also of Sweden. The band revolves around founding member Oraklet, who is joined by contributors JM on drums and IPU on violin, viola and additional vocal duties. This album follows Häxkapell's debut album Eldhymner, which was released in 2021.
It was Fortress Festival in Scarborough (North Yorkshire) this past weekend and I regret not going. The fact that a black metal festival held in a Northern seaside town exists and it’s not held in the depth of winter is brilliant. Before you say it, I am aware that Fortress Festival has been going for sometime now. In fact, it would be the perfect UK festival to host Häxkapell one day, if the band ever were to play live.
Their latest album Om jordens blod och urgravens grepp begins with ‘Satans rötter’, which is filled with choral shanty-like vocals, exquisitely played melodic instrumentation and crushing black metal. It’s layered with introspection and gentle ambience, which breaks up the extremity beautifully. I’ve often overlooked the folkier end of black metal previously and I don’t know why. Maybe my musical palette is changing again because this is really enjoyable so far.
There’s no such build-up on ‘Metamorfos’ as Häxkapell just launch straight into some scathing black metal complete with metallic guitar riffs. The production, mixing and mastering cannot be ignored either, as it gives this album the space and soundstage it deserves. None of that hissing, feedback-laden BM here. It’s fantastic to listen to.
‘Urgravens grepp är hårt och kallt’ moves in a slightly more unnerving direction thanks to it’s slower-ish tempo, but there’s always a defined pace that’s prevalent in this form or black metal and it’s more than welcome. The strings provided by IPU here fit perfectly, as does JM’s pummelling drum work. Oraklet’s vocal and guitar delivery is epic, just as it is throughout the whole album.
The sounds of the landscapes and land-dwellers of old are brought to the forefront on ‘Hem’, with it’s traditional/acoustic musicianship and gently sung vocals. It offers a bit of calm before the storm to follow. I call it a storm, but it’s one that’s slow to build as ‘Vindar från förr’ initially takes the form of another mid-paced folk laden hymn. It does contain flourishes of more chaotic heaviness at times though.
Closing the album with the eleven+ minute epic ‘Den sanna modern talar’ sees the band delving deeper into their musical arsenal, providing a barrage of cold black metal alongside warming layers of strings once again. It’s just the ending I was hoping for, as it shows off how expansive Häxkapell can be. This album provides an exciting glimpse into the current Swedish black metal community, while also showing that Nordvis know what they’re doing (not that there was ever any doubt!).
You can stream and purchase the album on all formats below:-
You can also buy copies directly from Nordvis here - https://www.nordvis.com.
Häxkapell Instagram - @haxkapell
Nordvis Produktion - https://www.facebook.com/nordvis