On disc: Evig Natt

 
 Darkland
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Darkland
 
- Mike Thompson  -
 
 

Darkland

(Black Bards - 2010)



 
 

 

Evig Natt is a gothic metal band from Norway who are presenting their second full-length album, Darkland. Hmmm, female fronted gothic metal from Norway? Never seen that before! However, before you rush off to do something else I have to urge you to listen to this album.

Far from being a 'cut and paste' gothic band Evig Natt have succeeded where so many others have failed and actually found their own sound. This is probably due to the high pedigree of the musicians involved in this project. Mainman Stein Roger Sund was formerly a part of the amazing Viking metal legends Einherjer and on drums is none other than ex-Enslaved skin-man Harald 'Rivheim' Helgeson.

These bands can live or due by the talents of their vocalist and it is my pleasure to tell you that Kirsten Jørgensen is one heck of a singer! Probably most comparable to Marcela Bovio (Stream Of Passion), but with the odd trace of Carmen Elise Espenæs (Midnattsol). Her voice is not overly operatic nor sickly sweet. It is a perfect accompaniment to the music of Evig Natt where the voice is rightly at the forefront, but never too dominant.

Musically the band have a base of gothic metal which is mostly guitar and voice driven, but utilizes keyboards to great effect in most songs. On top of the classic gothic sound, comparable to any of Morten Veland's bands (Tristania, Sirenia and Mortemia) you also get death metal influences, not just I the growling 'beast' vocals, but also in the music which includes death metal riffs and some brutal drumming when it suits the song. Doom metal is also evident when the band slow down.

A great album which should be embraced by all fans of gothic metal and may even convert a few of the haters!
 
 










Mike Thompson


  
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Darkland

(Black Bards - 2010)



 
 

 

This is the second album of the Norwegian band Evig Natt, they mix atmospheric elements and black-ish sounds. Sometimes symphonic, sometimes with a dash gothic.

They open with the title track... A cello creates a dark atmosphere, and then they head into a track which is based on fast drumming, but which is also very symphonic. A break. Then more mid-paced with growls by Oskar Naley and Kirsten's angelic vocals. Slowly they kick off Epitaph which is full of sadness first, then they storm off - and you feel the anger in Naley's voice. Very cool!

With Evig Natt they present a song with Norwegian lyrics. This song about the eternal night is dark, almost depressive and after a slow passage they pick up speed for a bit. After slow dark passages they head into a faster, heavier part where Kirsten Jørgensen's vocals are like a light in the dark. At I Die Again they remind me a bit of The Gathering (Mandylion era)... Even if they sound a bit heavier due to the growls. A black metal track is My Sin which just loose some brutality when Kirsten sings. The closer Withered Garden is another tune which combines black metal elements with The Gathering-esque vocals, but it has twists and turns.

I can recommend Evig Natt's Darkland fans of heavy atmospheric music who are open-minded. Check out: Withered Garden, Evig Natt, I Die Again and Until The End.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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