Country of origin:Sweden
Location:Trollhättan, Västra Götaland
Status:Active
Formed in:2015

Genre:Black Metal
Lyrical themes:Anti-urban
Current label:Unsigned/independent
Years active:2015-present

DISCOGRAPHY

Vildmarken, Mitt Fosterland Demo 2015
Våren Som Aldrig Kom (part 1) Single 2015
Motsham EP 2015
Att öde vara EP 2018
Att öde vara / Motsham Compilation 2019
Hädangången Full-length 2020

current line up

Fjällvind Bass
Skogsfödd Drums
Irrbloss Guitars
See also: Irrbloss, ex-Hvergelmer, ex-Minionslayer
Cornicula Guitars
Svältrot Vocals
See also: Gravkväde, Vomitrot, ex-On the Altar
Irrbloss Skinnbanjo (2015-present)

reviews

Svältvinter - Hädangången - 94%
Edmund Sackbauer, September 18th, 2020
Written based on this version: 2020, Digital, Independent
From a city called Trollhättan (what a name!) we got Svältvinter, a quite new Swedish black metal band. Having been formed in 2015 they have so far released two EPs and now are back with their full length debut. “Hädangången” is the title, which means I believe something like “departed” or “dead”. With an album name like this you can imagine that they music on display is nothing for happy hours, and while this assumption proves to be true this does not mean that there are no beautiful melodies to be found here. On the contrary we got a record full of outstanding moments and stunning harmonies, and to take away my verdict one of the best of 2020.

Svältvinter put a heavy focus on high-voltage riffs, hellishly catchy chords and epic harmonies, but this is not where they stopped. This album includes elements of unearthly grandeur and reverence, to one degree or another, and it turns out to be a multifaceted trip, and also channels moods of anguish and hysteria. There is a wailing and weeping sound in one of the recurring melodic motifs, and a mournful moodiness in the bass tones. This album alternates between the mid-range and upper range of the guitar over nonstop blast beats, trading tremolo riffs back and forth before dropping into a slower, more melancholy and often acoustic section that breaks up the flurried wall of sound.

All the tracks offer pure rush of black metal darkness replete with robust blast beats and fantastically melodramatic guitar-driven majesty. There is a subtly dissonant vibe inherent in the music, but ultimately the epic hooks are dominating, with the combination of chaos and order, darkness and light creating a dense yet captivating atmosphere. Despite the frosty nature, and for all their focus on the most melodically engaging elements of the genre’s sound, their forte still remains the crushing, oppressive weight of black metal songwriting done right.

And the lads show impressive songwriting skills, and a great understanding of how to place various sections within the context of this album. The blast beats that managed their way into the mix create a perfect balance between what’s extreme and what is melodic and atmospheric. Every single track from this record has a melody and harmonies that you will have in your head all day long. The combination of tight riffs with tight drumming and soaring melodies made by the guitar is something that comes out in a special way here. While “Hädangången” clocks in at nearly 67 minutes it somehow does not feel that long, as the time just flies by.

Not only the instrumentation is of the highest order, also the vocals are absolutely sick and nailed on. Together with the relentless patterns and the soul-piercing harmonies they are going to crawl under your skin. Rounded off by a more or less flawless production job giving the album a punchy yet diversified sound this is one of my favorite albums of the year. If you are looking for a well-played and produced piece of black metal offering a perfect mixture of blistering attacks and memorable melodies look no further.