Stillhet

Info

Band(s): Stillhet
Label(s): Self-Released
Release Format(s): CD, Demo
Release Year: 2004
Review Date: January 6, 2005
Author(s): MarcelB

The Norwegian underground Black Metal scene is more alive than ever before, and I’ve come across another really promising newcomer band. This time it is Stillhet from Løten, Norway. I presume that none of you knows this band already, and therefore I’ll give some background info along with this review. Stillhet started out as a one-man band in December 2003, and after rehearsing extensively, their first finished song, ‘Gjemt I Skyggene’, was written. Almost the entire year 2004 was used to write the other tracks for this first demo, which also got the name ‘Gjemt I Skyggene’. Starting in the summer of 2004, Jan Inge also began rehearsing together with Martin Søby, Erik Pettersen, and Kristoffer Lukassen. First only playing some cover songs, but later they started rehearsing Jan Inge’s own songs instead, and the band developed into what they are now; a four-piece band named Stillhet.

Now, about the demo ‘Gjemt I Skyggene’. First of all, I have to say the packaging looks really good for a debut demo CD. You’ll get a regular CD jewel case with a professionally printed black and white booklet, hand-numbered and limited to only 150 copies. Thus far all looks really promising, but as we all know, it is the music that counts. And musically, this demo sounds really promising. In just under 35 minutes, you’ll get six tracks and an intro and outro.

After a short intro, taken from Konami’s Silent Hill, the very first Stillhet track ever, ‘Gjemt I Skyggene’, takes hold of me. Monotonous, repeating, and hypnotizing guitar riffs in the vein of the good old Burzum albums take control. Halfway through the song, the guitar plays a melodic lead, which creates a bewitching mood. It’s like being hypnotized by the music…GREAT! Because of this, ‘Gjemt I Skyggene’ is my personal favorite from this demo.

But luckily, all the other tracks are of the same high standard. Mostly mid-paced grim Black Metal with that typical Norwegian underground Black Metal sound and harsh vocals on top of that. I’d even dare to compare Stillhet to Burzum. And this is not so surprising as the fourth track on this demo is a cover song from Burzum. Stillhet chose to cover ‘Spell of Destruction’ from Burzum’s debut album, and I have to say they’ve done a good job here. Not many bands are able to capture that same atmosphere which also surrounds the first couple of Burzum albums, but Stillhet succeeded in this. Well done! The last track ‘Silent Hill’ is yet another cover. It’s originally written by Akira Yamaoka, but to be honest I’ve never heard of them. The name sounds Japanese, and it’s likely an old Japanese song, as the lead parts have a Japanese influence (though the English song title is curious). Anyway, even though this one sounds a bit different compared to the other tracks on this demo, it still sounds compelling, and it is surrounded by a morbid aura. And in the end that is what we want in Black Metal.

I think it’s clear by now that ‘Gjemt I Skyggene’ is a demo which may not fail in the collection of every self-respecting Burzum fanatic and underground Black Metal collector. I’ve heard many good demos recently, but to be honest; This one surpasses them all.

Those interested can check the band’s website www.stillhet.tk for samples of the demo or contact Jan Inge immediately through stillhet@gmail.com, so act fast as there are only 150 hand-numbered copies available!

VM-UNDERGROUND

Extreme Metal Fanzine est. 2012

Latest Updates

Stillhet – Gjemt i skyggene [Demo]

Info

Related Articles

Interviews

Self-Released

Related Articles

Reviews