Trelldom

Til Et Annet… (Hammerheart)
by Paul Lee

I was beginning to think that raw, old school Nordic black metal was becoming a thing of the past until Trelldom came along (and then I got the new Darkthrone but that’s another story). These Norwegians have a fierce dedication to the black art and uphold all the low-tech qualities established by their forebears. The main man behind Trelldom is Gahhl, better known as the throat of the best, most underrated of the old school Norwegian bands, Gorgoroth. Trelldom’s roots are cultivated from the raw blackened masters like Darkthrone and Mayhem, and yet Trelldom have their own approach.

One of Trelldom’s grandest qualities is the variety and depth of Gahhl’s vokills. His shrieks, moans, and malevolent, clean voice are amazing. Not a single word sung is in English, just Norwegian (but hell knows, it could be ancient Icelandic like Enslaved sings in). Add to this a raw, no-keyboard, approach with a very Grieghallen sound that often borders on a black metal meets punk sound, especially in the song “Slave til en kommend natt.” “Min dod til ende” has an epic, Viking sound with a melody and pace you could swing your beer stein (or battle axe) to. The final song, “Sowar dreyri,” is a ten-minute song based around a repetitive, melodic riff similar to some songs on Darkthrone’s Transylvanian Hunger with Gahhl doing his creepiest voices throughout.

Despite the apparent influences, Trelldom is a band worth acquiring if you hunger for that wonderfully evil and raw Norwigian sound. Until I get the new Gorgoroth, Trelldom will quench my thirst for Nordic darkness just fine.
(PO Box 277, 6300 AG, Valkenburg, Holland)