Ossaert – Pelgrimsoord

Part two of my Dutch Black Metal solo project Ossaert trilogy focuses on the second full length album, ‘Pelgrimsoord’. Once more released via Argento Records, this time a cassette version of the album joins the LP and CD versions in store. ‘Pelgrimsoord’ is very much a continuation from the debut album; a sublime combination of fast flowing tremolo picking fury with breezy melodies throughout and a vocal range that once more twists between ravenous aggression and cleaner, more emotive bleakness. Whilst the musical aspect of Ossaert has remained on a par in terms of performance with the previous offering, it is with the vocals that the most progression has been made. Whilst the basic components have remained the same, there is a noticeable increase in both the anger and raw passion in the abrasive vocal work, whilst the cleaner style has taken on more of a chanted quality which I very much enjoy.

I mentioned a fleeting resemblance to Winterfylleth in my first review but that comparison is full eradicated here as Ossaert fully takes control of its own dominant sound. There is an urgency to both the riffs and the vocals that is very endearing and its these progressions to the intensity and fluidity of the album, as well as the vocal tweaks, that really make ‘Pelgrimsoord’ stand out over its predecessor. (Despite said predecessor being an incredible debut offering) What makes ‘Pelgrimsoord’ stand out the most though is there sheer aggression and unrelenting fury that is packed into these four tracks. Part three of this trilogy of reviews will cover a soon to be released EP, so be sure to check out how the Ossaert journey progresses into 2023.