Review : NÀTTSÒL – “Stemning”

Nàttsòl – Stemning
released June 11, 2010 on Lupus Lounge

Rating: 4/5

Stemning begins with “Ved Aas I Haustmoerket”, which opens with a melodic double-bass black metal riff, complete with male choir and followed up with gritty Black Metal vocals. It’s a good song with catchy riffs. The clean vocal harmonies are a nice addition which provide mystical atmosphere to the music.

The second track, “Ved Baal I Kveldstime”, opens with elegant classical guitar, which I shouldn’t have to tell you blasts right into Black Metal after a minute or so. These first two songs are the highlights of the album. Unfortunately, the next couple aren’t as great. Not to say they’re bad, but they don’t live up to the standards that the first two tracks set. They’re not very original, and track three, especially, sound like a typical melodic Black Metal song. The album closes out acoustically with the somber classical ballad “Ved Hav I Avdagsleitet”, which features alto Anette Gulbrandsen on lead vocal.

Overall, the aggression of Black Metal is there with Nàttsòl, but there is an element of sophistication which is provided by the superbly written vocal harmonies led by Gustav Jørgen Pedersen. Unfortunately, these vocals aren’t present in all the songs of the album.

Stemning is not your typical Black Metal album. It’s not even typical for melodic Black Metal. Despite some weak points, this is a very promising debut for Nàttsòl.

FCC OK
Try 1, 2, 5, 6

01. Ved Aas I Haustmoerket
02. Ved Baal I Kveldstime
03. Ved Skog I Natterstid
04. Ved Fjell I Vinterblaest
05. Ved Elv I Eismal Stund
06. Ved Hav I Avdagsleitet