![keiser – likfunn [ep]](https://www.vm-underground.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Keiser-Likfunn-EP-cover.jpeg "Keiser – Likfunn [EP]")
Info
- Band(s): Keiser
- Label(s): Non Serviam Records
- Release Format(s): Digital, EP
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: May 11, 2025
- Author(s): Seth Nekromancer
Returning once again to the cold Norwegian lands, Keiser delights us with two songs that can rock you to the cradle of tranquillity and, from one second to the next, crush your skull. Needless to say, Norway has embedded itself in the collective unconscious of the consumer and follower of world metal, appearing as a country where decades ago blood ran freely inside and outside the circles of Black Metal, and smoke raped every particle of dust and ashes scattered in the northern sky.
But the quartet that has conspired in the creation of Likfunn breaks (not entirely) with the stereotypical Norwegian Black Metal and has something different to show us. The homonymous song takes you into a peaceful landscape of electroacoustic guitars for more than 30 seconds until it is assaulted by distortion. The marching rhythm and melody of the second guitar are folk-style; this type of folk arrangements has also been a trademark that Norway has bequeathed to us through many sound acts over the years.
Now, from minute 2 onwards, everything goes crazy. What before was terrifying tranquillity was murdered in the middle of a deadly Thrashy whirlwind. The intensity with which they attack is fulminating; the sound is compact with sharp guitars. The voice does not falter since it is well worked to transit in the path of Black Metal and Thrash, rabid and at the same time understandable. Keep in mind that this first song has a duration of almost 9 minutes and is plagued with frenetic guitar solos, acoustic arrangements, and also melodic solos. At times, it gives the sensation that there is some progressive that is filtering through like the leaks of rain, but they do not flood the music.
With the second attack, they use the same formula as the previous song: acoustic arpeggios clear the way for the bombardment, frenetic riffs with beastly blast beats. Almost reaching the 2-minute mark, the bass makes itself present in a sudden cut and then fades back into the music as a whole. It’s something to admire when songs of more than 8 minutes are created and various foundations and elements of Metal materialise to make it more varied and counteract the boredom and drowsiness that can emerge due to excessive time. Almost halfway through this ‘Final Dissolve,’ the acoustic cuts appear again as a warning of the new rhythm that has changed the tone of the song with catchy riffs and drum rhythms. A duel of guitar solos stands out, making it clear that the guitarists involved are virtuous with the strings.
Following Keiser’s chronology of releases, this EP should be, or is, a taste of what they’re cooking up for a new full-length. It’ll be quite interesting to find out if they continue this path, blending intense Black Metal with the rage of thrash, arrangements, and acoustic passages probed by progressive and folk elements. Soon we will know.
Non Serviam Records
- Country: Netherlands
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, Spotify, Youtube
