TAAKEFERD – NÅR SIRKELEN BRYTES LP (Obscure Abhorrence Productions)

‘Når Sirkelen Brytes’ is the debut full-length from northern Norwegian quintet Taakeferd, who may or may not have borrowed their name from an iconic piece of Darkthrone merchandise. Probably not, though. Anyway, the name translates as ‘a journey through fog’ or something along those lines and this is probably an apt description for the no-holds-barred, blazing Black Metal offered forth on this record.

Both melodic and raw, the songs on this 53-minute album rip through the speakers with devilish intent, never compromising, delivering nine straight-to-the-point work-outs of shrill and shrieky Black Metal with little or no let-up. The music blasts along fiercely and ferociously and there is barely time to breathe. It’s somehow claustrophobic and suffocating as it pounds along and at times all too familiar but, for all it lacks in originality, ‘Når Sirkelen Brytes’ deserves respect for the manner in which it sticks to the core principles of what made Black Metal great in the first place.

This isn’t an album that you’ll regard as a milestone in the history of BM, nor is it one you’ll want to play over and over again. But there’s no denying that it does what it does bloody damned well and for that reason alone Taakeferd should not be dismissed. Good, solid, face-ripping Black Metal that salutes the scene’s brethren well and – ironically – will probably draw criticism for being too Black Metal! An album for those who appreciate Black Metal the olden way.

Evilometer: 444/666