WITH STRENGTH WE BURN

 

 

Our Mission

Reviews

Interviews

Band Links

MP3 Links

News

Distro Links

Contact Us

About Us

Kvist- For Kunsten Maa Vi Evig Vike

Band Homeland: Norway

Band Homepage: None Found

Label Homepage: http://www.avantgardemusic.com/

Released in 1996 on Avantgarde Music, I come to this album having heard only good things about it and was very excited to FINALLY get a copy of it (having tried 4 times since 1999). After one full play, I can tell you without doubt that this album is totally deserving of the praise that has been heaped upon it.

Consisting of 6 songs with a total playing time of 37:52, “For Kunsten Maa Vi Evig Vike” is a solid example of the transition that occurred in Black Metal during the mid-90’s, moving the standard from pure and straightforward Black Metal aggression to incorporating more melody and a sweeping “Epic” feel. “For Kunsten Maa Vi Evig Vike” seems to bridge the original raw and aggressive assault of Black Metal with the more symphonic and melodic Black Metal that was just starting to emerge at the time this album was released.

Production-wise, it is admittedly a bit murky. The result is an unending wall of sound that remains full and solid throughout each song, but it is unfortunate as there are parts that are obviously meant to be clean and clear, and the distinction is lost due to the constant wail of keys or drone of bass in the background.

On the upside, there is discernable bass guitar on this album, and it rumbles deeply from song to song. While it does add to the loss of clarity in parts, it’s nice to hear a bass guitar on a Black Metal album. And also, while they contribute to the loss of distinction in parts, the keys on this album are a great example of what Black Metal keys should be. They support the overall atmosphere of the song without overpowering it or taking away from it at all. The guitar work is amazingly fast, and the drumming is hyperactive but totally in time and dead on. The vocals are rough, grim, and have a beauty in their brutality.

From what I can find, “For Kunsten Maa Vi Evig Vike” is the only album Kvist did (at least it is the only one Avantgarde Music did) and that is a shame, as any band capable of offering something like this on their first album could well have gone far (“far” being defined in “obscure Black Metal” terms…). I would love to have seen Kvist have another shot at the studio, this time with proper engineering.

TRACKLIST:

Ars Manifestia
Forbannet Vaere Jorden Jeg Gar Pa
Stupet
Svartedal
Min Lekam er Meg Blott en Byrde
Vettenetter