Info
- Band(s): Vargrav
- Label(s): Werewolf Records
- Release Format(s): CD
- Release Year: 2023
- Review Date: December 29, 2023
- Author(s): VincentP
There’s a strong argument to be made that Vargrav was one of the initiators of the blossoming Symphonic Black Metal revival that has been going on the past few years. Certainly, the impact of their debut ‘Netherstorm’ cannot be denied, and at time of release (2018) there were barely bands playing that long forgotten and at times ridiculed style. Now, five years since the debut, Vargrav has arrived at album number three, in the mean transforming the v-Khaoz led project into a full band by adding seasoned Finnish Black Metal musicians. And the band’s evolution becomes clear when listening to ‘The Nighthold’.
Vargrav has never preached originality, wearing the influence of Emperor proudly on their sleeve. Those digging deeper into the music of the Finns will find their fascination for 90’s Norwegian Black Metal does not end there. A certain appreciation of the older work of Dimmu Borgir, Limbonic Art and riffs in the style of Immortal can be found scattered throughout all their work. And so when it comes to comparing the most recent album with the back catalogue, there is one obvious difference: the vocals. New vocalist Werwolf can rightfully be considered as one of the most prominent vocalists in the Finnish Black Metal scene for his groundbreaking work with Satanic Warmaster, Horna and so on, and his vocal delivery on ‘The Nighthold’ transforms Vargrav to a higher level as well. Besides his typical raspy shrieks he brings out some more guttural growls as well, such as in the opening minutes of ‘The One Who Lurks Beyond the Starscape’, a track that almost leans into Death Metal territories. It adds a dose of diversity to the album, and that exact term is probably how I would describe the most recent album compared to the rest of the discography: more diverse.
Now that diversity does not lie so much in the pace, as arguably ‘The Nighthold’ is the most menacing and fierce Vargrav album to date. It is also the most consistently uptempo, but the dynamics within the songs are vastly improved. The addition of veteran drummer Baron M. Tarwonen has elevated the drum work on the album, thereby creating more intensity as well as a more playful variation of the progression within songs. The bass, now performed by Grunt Trollhorn, seems more elaborate and especially in a more midtempo track like ‘Triumph of the Nightbringer’ fully shines. The guitar riffs in Vargrav have always taken a bit of a supporting role, and that mostly remains the same, but the almost Bluesy progressive solo towards the end of ‘A Dark Consecration’ is a nice surprise. The guitar sound in general is a little bit sharper than before, and ‘The Nighthold’ strikes the best balance between all the elements. Within this mix, the keyboards remain the main player. Consisting both of background supporting keys and more elaborate cosmic notes, they add all the bombast and grandeur that has made Vargrav such a standout act.
Clocking in at nearly an hour, ‘The Nighthold’ is the lengthiest album by the band thus far, but at the same time that more diverse songwriting makes it an effortless listen. Songs like ‘Thy Imperial malice’, ‘Through the Woods of Breathing Shadows’, ‘Encircle the Spectral Dimension’ or the glorious ‘A Dark Consecration’ are filled with all the captivating cosmic keys, menacing pace and rhythmic walls that have made the band stand out since the very beginning. So despite the arrival of many more bands that have embraced the Symphonic Black Metal of the 90’s, Vargrav still stands on the top of the pack. And while musically the formula is mostly a continuation of their previous work, the improved diversity and ferocity make ‘The Nighthold’ simply a masterclass in Symphonic Black Metal. It once again shows that Vargrav can rightfully be credited for rejuvenating the style with a quality that creeps ever closer to the legendary acts that once created it.
