Founded in 2021, Massachusetts trio Olde Bard has been steadily carving out a place in the underground, and with the release of their third EP they make it clear that their ascent is anything but accidental. The band had already been on my radar for some time, largely due to their distinctive fusion of Black Metal and Heavy Metal, a blend that at times recalls Darkthrone’s famously obstinate mindset: doing exactly what they want, expectations and conventions be damned.
And really, isn’t that the very core of Black Metal? Crossing boundaries, rejecting rules, overturning sacred cows and setting them ablaze if necessary. At its heart, the genre thrives on rebellion, individuality, and the freedom to forge one’s own path. On multiple levels, Olde Bard embodies that ethos.
On this new EP, the trio once again proves their mettle. Compared to ‘Jewels of the Spidercrown’ (2024), there’s a clear sense of progression. The songwriting is more diverse, the riffs are notably thicker, and the production is tighter and more focused than before. Crucially, however, the band hasn’t sacrificed the raw, almost primitive energy that defined their earlier material. That untamed edge remains, lending the release an authentic and forceful character.
What truly sets Olde Bard apart is their ability to merge Black Metal’s dark intensity with understated nods to 1980s Heavy Metal. The result feels natural and confident rather than forced or derivative. This is not another raw Scandinavian pastiche with chainsaw guitars screaming for attention; instead, Olde Bard delivers a self-assured and idiosyncratic interpretation of the genre one that feels simultaneously nostalgic and refreshingly original.
The EP consists of four tracks, with ‘(Endless) Swamp Cemetery’ towering above the rest, not only in duration. Opening at a mid-tempo pace, the song gradually shifts into a pronounced Thrash/Heavy Metal groove before concluding on a progressive note. It’s a standout piece that highlights the band’s sense of dynamics and compositional skill, showcasing their talent for building tension and maintaining variety throughout.
At the time of writing, the EP is available exclusively on Bandcamp, with no physical edition announced yet.
