Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Alongside Finland, another country that has consistently produced phenomenal heavy metal bands is definitely Norway. This is exactly why I am so happy to be the one that is reviewing “The Skies Turn Black”, the new album by melodic black metal outfit Vreid.
The first thing that I noticed is the stunning cover art, done by Kim Holm. It’s true when they say that if the appearance of an album is good, its content must also be good. This album can be considered a quintessential staple in the modern age: while everybody is trying to improve and innovate, Vreid know their formula and make it work to perfection.
The mastering and production are done very meticulously and old-school, which shows a great effort to deliver a high quality product. I would have opted for a more cohesive mixing, as sometimes the grandiose atmospheres that the band creates are a bit undercut. A fuller, more unified sonic treatment could have helped smooth those moments and further elevate the album’s emotional impact, allowing its bold ideas to fully bloom.
“The Skies Turn Black”, which includes the wonderful soundtrack to the Kraken movie, is also full of uncompromising and pure metal. Tracks like “Loving The Dead” with the spectacular voice of Agnete Kjølsrud (Djerv, Dimmu Borgir), the suite “Chaos” or the thrash-infused “Smile Of Hate” really demonstrate the multitude of influences that Vreid incorporates in their sound.
The spring tour that will start in a bit and will see Vreid with a parade of other incredible bands will probably be the best opportunity to see and hear how these tracks will sound in a live setting. In my opinion, Vreid is going to blow our minds out there! So don’t miss out when March 6th comes, and spin “The Skies Turn Black”!
Tracklist:
