These years have been filled with mediocre black metal releases, which all have tried to be progressive and developing in their sound. Most of these bands have failed to impress and gain a greater fanbase, so therefore I was thrilled when I found, that I had to make a review of the newest album from the Norwegian band Formloff - A band that goes back to the slower, more primitive black metal roots.

Artistically the albumcover does not fail, as it is very well done, showing a woman in focus. She is naked and bend slightly over. Her face is rotten, blurry and dead and her body is set in a somewhat fragile and insecure way. The cover is very dark and obscure, yet mysteriously compelling.

This band does not only stand out with their old school, slow sound, their lyrics are also different from the usual black metal, as they focus on everyday issues. Formloffs lyrics are melancholic, depressing and expose the ugliness and horrors that each individual has developed in relation to ones past.

The lyrical themes function very well with the music itself, that can be defined as raw and atmospheric. The sound is oldschool and not too wellpolished. Their last release from 2006 Adjø Silo was much more focused on the avant-garde metal sound, but Spyhorelandet is all about regressive tendencies, slower riffs and low - at times almost whispering - shrieks. All instruments function very well as a whole. although the drumwork is a bit monotone. The guitarriffs seem emotive and very sincere, especially on tracks such as "Mig og drit" and "Den gamle jorda". The bass supports the guitarriffs very well, which is very moodsetting and really emphasizes with the whole melancholic feeling on Spyhorelandet.

To state the obvious I really enjoyed this album. It's original "back to basics" black metal, that still has a certain beauty and quiet sound to it. If you are a fan of bands such as Torturum and Vyrion, you should most certainly give this album a listen, because you will definitely not regret it. http://www.myspace.com/formloff


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