Slegest
Løyndom
Dark Essence Records
2013
Slegest is Ese’s personal project which was created after he left Vreid in 2010. Since then he has been working on his sound but he also released a self-titled EP in 2012. It’s true that “Løyndom” is a “weird” album as it does combine elements from several music kinds and it is covered with a black veil. Were I to describe the album’s music I’d call it blackened heavy metal. Take elements from Bathory, Vreid & Bewitched (where the hell did I recall them?!), add a more 70s-like primary heavy sound and embellish it with various hard & heavy and doom metal (70s-80s) features and you’ll get the idea.
Obviously, if it weren’t for the harsh blackened vocals then this album would have fallen under a different category and would appeal more to those who enjoy the recent 70s hard & heavy revival. I do like the album’s production, which is a bit “raw” and “old-fashioned”. Ese recorded and mixed most of the album at his Systrond Studio and some parts at Conclave & Earshot Studio with Bjornar E. Nilsen. The mastering was done by Herbrand Larsen (Enslaved).
Fairly, it’s one of those cases that it’s hard for you to make up your mind. The groovy, hard & heavy riffology is strong (“Dirt Life Death” will make your head bang!), the whole atmosphere is somewhat like 70s and then you have the harsh blackened vocals which offer a diversity when it comes to comparisons with other bands of the same sound. If the album also had a vocal variety (both blackened & clean ones) & it had a bit more memorable melodies (probably that was caused due to the monotony of harsh vocals) then it would have been more exciting at long last. Not that it ain’t listenable or interesting as a music blend… but since it’s kinda “experimental” I think that Ese should have gone all the way without putting any kind of limitations to it. I’m looking forward to his next release though. Ese has also put up a live band so do not miss the chance to see him along with his band on stage.
Obviously, if it weren’t for the harsh blackened vocals then this album would have fallen under a different category and would appeal more to those who enjoy the recent 70s hard & heavy revival. I do like the album’s production, which is a bit “raw” and “old-fashioned”. Ese recorded and mixed most of the album at his Systrond Studio and some parts at Conclave & Earshot Studio with Bjornar E. Nilsen. The mastering was done by Herbrand Larsen (Enslaved).
Fairly, it’s one of those cases that it’s hard for you to make up your mind. The groovy, hard & heavy riffology is strong (“Dirt Life Death” will make your head bang!), the whole atmosphere is somewhat like 70s and then you have the harsh blackened vocals which offer a diversity when it comes to comparisons with other bands of the same sound. If the album also had a vocal variety (both blackened & clean ones) & it had a bit more memorable melodies (probably that was caused due to the monotony of harsh vocals) then it would have been more exciting at long last. Not that it ain’t listenable or interesting as a music blend… but since it’s kinda “experimental” I think that Ese should have gone all the way without putting any kind of limitations to it. I’m looking forward to his next release though. Ese has also put up a live band so do not miss the chance to see him along with his band on stage.