Dødheimsgard “Black Medium Current”.
A twisted and melancholic journey of modern extreme metal.
From doomy, atmospheric, and prog influenced, to chaotic, bizarre, fast, and extreme, 2023 brings us the new offering from one my favorite Norwegian bands, Dødheimsgard – Black Medium Current.
Vicotnik and DHG return with their first release since their 2015 album, A Umbra Omega. An album which I really enjoyed and think was even more chaotic and extreme than their new album, Black Medium Current. Starting as a raw and atmospheric black metal band in the 90’s, every DHG/Dødheimsgard album has been quite different and unique from each other. Their first album, 1995’s Kronet Til Konge, is still one of my favorite Norwegian black metal releases for the style and time period with it’s relentless ugliness and raw atmospheric energy and hatred. But when DHG‘s 1999 album 666 International came out, I knew this would become one of the bands to look out for in the future. They were just doing something completely different and radical at the time adding strange samples, synths, vocals, time changes and more weirdness, it just felt like this is what music of the new millennium should sound like, in my opinion.
Fast forward 24 years later to the year 2023, and we have Black Medium Current. DHG‘s sixth full length album, which feels more mature, thought out, and planned. Perhaps slightly less chaotic, yet more modern with it’s different influences of black metal, doom, prog, ambient music, and even classic rock. Melancholic and beautiful all at the same time. Definitely a great and dark technical album which takes a few close listens before you can absorb it all in. With plenty of very catchy, twisting, memorable riffs, and different and strange vocals, parts, changes, and hooks which you wouldn’t expect.
For those of you unfamiliar with DHG, this is their first release with main guitarist, Vicotnik, handling all or most of the vocals on the album. Crazy, chaotic, strange, and unique is how I would describe them. If you are familiar with his other band, Dold Vorde Ens Navn, (with members of DHG, VBE, and Ulver), you will have a good idea about what to expect from the vocals. He’s also the guitar player and one of the vocalists for another one of my favorite Norwegian bands, Ved Buens Ende. Myrvoll, the drummer on Black Medium Current, also plays drums in the new incarnation of VBE. So some really great and technical drumming and fills going on, with plenty of groove and catchiness.
Black Medium Current starts out with a sad and somber intro which seems to be the theme for the entire album, and then bursts into the 10+ minute epic opener that begins with a more traditional Norwegian black metal style which reminds me of the raw and dark atmospheric songs from Kronet Til Konge. But then about half way through the first song is where this magical journey really starts! Interesting clean and atmospheric vocals and harmonies, unexpected time changes, synths, and guitar solos. Catchy and memorable bass lines and drumming, and a very spacey and prog like feeling. Once the second song has started, you know this isn’t going to be a typical black metal album at all. Lots of dark interludes, riffs, atmospheres, killer and unexpected vocals, and always this chaotic yet calming feeling of unsureness. With a very dynamic mix and production, and interesting songwriting and changes, Dødheimsgard – Black Medium Current is easily one of the most original and best black metal albums to come out of Norway for quite some time in my opinion. And definitely a top contender for album of the year for me. Hope to be able to see DHG play live someday! Until then, spin their new album and safe travels!
Overlord’s Rating
| Band: Dødheimsgard |
| Album: Black Medium Current |
| World Wide Release: April 14th, 2023 |
| Label: Peaceville |
| Links: facebook.com/DODHEIMSGARD bandcamp.com/album/black-medium-current |
Be sure to check out Overlord’s best albums of 2022 review here on Metal Swap Meet!
