Kvad resurrects the true spirit of Norwegian Black Metal as it was forged in the mid-90s, delivering a grim and reverent work that feels both authentic and fiercely alive. ‘Sort Skogsmesse’ is not a nostalgic imitation, but a genuine continuation of that era’s cold, mystical and uncompromising sound, now glorified once again through the singular vision of Peregrinus. As the sole member and multi-instrumentalist, he commands and controls every aspect of the album, allowing the atmosphere, pacing, and ferocity to flow with ritualistic precision.
Fans of the elder cults such as Carpathian Forest, Forlorn, Isengard, and Hades will find many influences here. The album is steeped in sombre passages, eerie riff constructions, and haunting melodic lines that drift like mist through a moonlit forest. Each track unfolds with a ghostly sense of melancholy and isolation, drawing the listener deeper into a cold, spiritual landscape where shadows and ancient echoes reign supreme.
The production remains deliberately necro and unpolished, preserving the raw, frostbitten edge that true Black Metal was built upon. There is no sterile modern gloss here; only grit, atmosphere, and a suffocating sense of darkness that enhances the album’s occult and woodland mystique. ‘Sort Skogsmesse’ stands as a powerful offering to the old ways, proving that the essence of Norwegian Black Metal still burns with haunting intensity.
