This one-man Black Metal project hails from Denmark and creates somber landscapes that take the listener on an audial occult journey. The self-titled release gathers together all the materials previously released as two demos, and presents them in a much-needed new mastering – rendering them listenable and exposing elements that were a bit buried in the original tracks.
I must admit that it took a while for me to warm up (or rather cool down) to Óðkraptr’s compositions. Some of the songs run a bit longer than they should, and listeners might skip tracks before they get to their apex. That being said, the composer is skilled enough at incorporating elements which raise curiosity and keep things moving. For me that element was the theremin, which immediately caught my attention in the track ‘Genfødt I Dimensioner Sorte’ – the very first one I heard from this project before delving into the full release. It’s such a haunting instrument and I’ve always wondered why it’s not used more frequently in Extreme Metal. It was certainly a pleasure to hear in Óðkraptr and that track has found its way to my playlist.
As for the remainder of the release, I’d say it’s an acquired taste and needs time. If you give it that, then you might find yourself floating in atmospheres of dread and mystery. Here’s the imagery that this project invokes in me: imagine the orgy scene in Eyes Wide Shut, except shot in black and white, slowed down, and Óðkraptr’s compositions as its soundtrack.
