![drengskapur / häxenzijrkell – drengskapur / häxenzijrkell [split]](https://www.vm-underground.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Drengskapur-Haxenzijrkell-Split.jpg "Drengskapur / Häxenzijrkell – Drengskapur / Häxenzijrkell [Split]")
Info
- Band(s): Drengskapur, Häxenzijrkell
- Label(s): Amor Fati Productions, The Cosmic Pillars
- Release Format(s): 12" vinyl, Cassette, CD, Split
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: September 29, 2024
- Author(s): FelixS
On this split release, presented by Amor Fati Productions (with The Cosmic Pillars taking care of the version on cassette tape), two established German Black Metal bands have teamed up for a no less than 40 minutes of alluring and slightly atmospheric Black Metal. Both bands have a history of sharing sound carriers with like-minded peers and in that tradition, this is the latest release for both.
Drengskapur, on side A, brings forth one monumental track of almost 25 minutes in which the band presents itself from their most diverse and compelling side. It shows all the basic elements of Pagan Black Metal with the true essence of hypnotising, almost droning, kind of atmospherics. Such a long track can be a challenging listen, but due to the necessary dynamics, in the form of tempo changes and interesting riff progressions, the track doesn’t feel all that much stretched at all. In fact, the constant twisting of the lead melody and the diversity of the drums as well as the versatile vocal delivery gives even this 25-minute song all the characteristics of a real “song”. The Pagan feel of the music, which keeps it all somewhat light-hearted, is further fuelled by the epic humming vocals that are mostly in the background, providing the indispensable atmosphere. Although the average will be well over 10 minutes, by no means all Drengskapur songs are that long, so this must certainly have been a challenge for the band as well. They have definitely succeeded in keeping their formula engaging, even when it is stretched out over such a large amount of minutes.
On the other side there is Häxenzijrkell, a duo (a trio on stage) which manages to produce a fairly weighty result with the least resources. On each of their previous releases they seem to gradually be better in crystalizing their musical visions. Visions consisting of nightmarish soundscapes with a sinister ritualistic edge. A massive sound with heavily repeating riffs, liturgic pounding drums and contrarian riffs and rhythms. A hallucinant formula that is heavily influenced on that wave of Icelandic and Trondheim-based Black Metal bands from the early 10’s. It might be well performed, but definitely not original anymore and for sure not on par with the giants of this niche in Black Metal.
