Released on: 11th November 2022
As fugly as black metal often is, the scene has produced some beautiful and breathtaking articles. Haavard is no stranger to the blacker side of the turnstyle. Having been integral to the genre jumping Kveldssanger by old dogs Ulver. But the acoustic folk album, a violation of the intense onslaught that was 90’s true Norsk black metal, was an iconic piece of thoroughfare for the genre.
Funny now that more than twenty years later a true spiritual sequel should pop up in Haavard, written by none other than Haavard himself and featuring old and new voices alike. As it is hailed as the spiritual sequel to Kveldssanger one has to wonder: is this the Nattens Madrigal strings rehash that a certain court of Jesters would harp on about? It does not matter, it is what it is.
Haavard (the album) is a quaint little piece of acoustics. With special attention given to Haavards’ (the artist) main instrument, the guitar. The compositions are wonderfully constructed: cinematic, grandiose and inspirational, older and wiser. But, it is in all that wealth of sound that Haavard loses the original Kveldssangers’ austere thunder. Which, in contrast, was more of an experiment between vocalist Garm and his layering techniques and Haavards’ soulful finger picking.
More than twenty years have come and gone however, and it is interesting to hear what direction Kveldssanger could have gone in. There is really no comparison between Ulvers’ back catalogue and Haavard. Haavard is much like its artists– an entirely new beast.
Haavard (the album) tells a story, and it does so with real passion. The songs will carry your spirit across the topography of another world. While capturing the essence of nature in all her harsh and brave glory. Whatever inspires Haavard (the artist) must be blinding to behold; A beautiful titan of a muse. As the album might only be a scintilla of the tale, it is a stunning legend to hear. Filled with new and old characters to meet.
9/10
