Rating: 4.5/5

Where other bands in Kollwitz’ neighborhood might be regarded as one-trick ponies, this Norwegian band has something hidden up their sleeves: tristesse. They have managed to fuse heavy metal with a dark sadness, and that is the glory of Kollwitz. It is not ear-shattering mayhem, but rather beautiful melancholy, which portray depths more common to Neurosis than any of their followers.

Rating: 4/5

Stranglehold. The Norwegian death rock band Kvelertak give the listener the proper feel for their music with their name and self-titled debut album. The band borrows the explosive energy from underground hardcore, the riffs from 21st century metal and the chorus anthems from hard rock.

This is for fun, above all else. Both men have forthcoming projects independent of one another, and hopefully the output won’t be like the demo-quality contained here.