By: Ralka F. Skjerseth
Album Type:
Full Length
Date Released:
13/10/2017
Label: Indie
Recordings
“Viige Urh” ignites stronger than the
incineration of flames; forcefully ascends high up to Valhalla— it is a
projection of eternality, packed up in a form of eight tracks as ferocious as
incendiaries.
“Viige Urh” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1, Viige Urh
2. Dagger Entombed
3. Age of Sail
4. Upir
5. Jutul
6. Punishment to
Confessions
7. Knifehall
8. Evolution and
Fate
The Review:
“Viige
Urh”,
the fifth studio album by the Oslo-based black metal act Sarke, is
a form of resurgence from the north that hails the nine realms and transcends
into time and space— just like its title that can be translated to “time that
has passed”. The concept of this album mainly revolves around the idea of time
passed; chronicles that never relent. Featuring a myriad of lyrical themes
ranging from realism, mythology, and history, it just seems as if these Nordic
lads are ready to reign the throne and reenact the legacy of the valiant
Berserkers in battles. They come off as profound in manifesting their vehement
characteristic of slow-paced beats and atmospheric riffs accompanied by the way
Nocturno Culto (of Darkthrone fame) sings
hymns in an exalted level, while featuring several takes of choirs, string
instruments, and poetry-like recitations. “Viige
Urh” ignites stronger than the incineration of flames; forcefully ascends
high up to Valhalla— it is a projection of eternality, packed up in a form of
eight tracks as ferocious as incendiaries. Released under Indie Recordings,
the release of “Viige Urh” comes only
about a year after Sarke’s previous album,
“Bogefod”.
The first, and also
title track “Viige Urh” presents
vicious riffs that happen to be the epitome of a trenchant sword that waves
upward against the collision of storms. And next up, there goes “Dagger Entombed” with its atmospheric
pace; it tells about powers and weapons, unleashed in a poetic way. “Age of Sail” opens up with a 30-second
killer riff that would remind you of the force of warriors that have slayed
battles of ages. The blasting beats of “Upir”
delivers some sort of a higher infernal power that reigns. “Jutul” features poignant notes of
string instruments and possesses the vibes of the ancient times; it opens with
soothing tranquil singing that later forms a convergence with the fierce vocals
of Nocturno Culto’s. The next track “Punishment
to Confession” unleahses a poetry-like recitation, followed by ethereal
choirs. “Knifehall” is one hell of a
god-tier fast paced chaos that appears as a multiverse of resilience and indignation.
The heavy last track “Evolution and Fate”
represents the violence of the sun that thrives into the constellations.
Having the
privilege to listen to this album before its official release date (October
13th), I personally am honoured; it is definitely worth listening. They sure do
have a concept, and their own inherent authenticity that clearly radiates from
the groove that they unravel. The incorporation of ’70s rock influence into the
black metal element also can be seen mostly from tracks like “Dagger Entombed” and “Age of Sail”. “Viige Urh” may revolve around the concept of time that has passed,
but still, it would transcend the facticity of time and provide eternal
eclectic madness.
“Viige Urh” is
available to preorder/buy here
Band info: facebook
