ALBUM REVIEW: Trelldom - ...By The Shadows...

...By The Shadows... will be released September 13th on Prophecy Productions

Trelldom is a truly underrated black metal band that was formed by front man Kristian "Gaahl" Eivind Espedal in 1992. The band was aggressive, harsh, second wave black metal that the band unleashed onto the world with their 1995 debut album Til evighet.... . With many other releases, 1999's Til et annet... & 2007's Til minne..., the band would stay active while Gaahl would deal with his time in Gorgoroth, God Seed, and his current project Gaahls Wyrd. Now, seventeen years since the release of Til minne..., Trelldom return with their brand new fourth album ...By The Shadows... . After such a long gap between releases, as the band awakens from it's slumber, the band returns with a sound unlike anything they have done before. Straying away from their black metal roots, to a more thought-provoking, avant-garde, experimental approach.

We open the album with "The Voice of What Whispers". Opening with gurgling, ringing bass, combined with jangly, ringing guitars. It is almost an alternative/indie rock sounding opening. With Stian Kårstad adding a more unconventional indie rock/hard rock sound. All while Kenneth Kapstad's driving drums keeps the tempo and pacing rising amongst the experimentation. Espedal's spoken voice comes into focus. With it's ominous delivery as the music builds and intensifies. Musically, it heads into the surreal and avant-garde with unique vocal choices and musical soundscapes. Only leaning into the black metal roots near the three-quarters mark of the song. With heavily distorted guitars, layered vocals of whispers and distortion, and drumming that turns more aggressive. Although not into the blasting-fast way. The saxophone, played at the end by Kjetil Traavik Møster, adds a real finesse to the abrupt end of the track.

Reverbed guitar and somber vocals opens "Exit Existence". The pacing is driving, with the drums helping amp up the music. As Møster adds saxophone to the piece as the repeating guitar plays over Espedal's soft-spoken vocals. Vocals are layered and reverbed heavily, to create an almost choir-like effect with a very downtrodden performance. Espedal's vocals deliver an almost gothic rock/metal vocal style you would hear from acts like Unto Others or classic acts like Christian Death. The electronic effects during the musical break, transition beautifully into acoustic guitar playing amongst clean electric guitar. Kårstad knows how to add atmosphere and depth in the production and mix of the song. Kapstad begins blasting for the closing three quarters of the track, all while saxophone and clarinet wail over string sections and cymbal strikes. Droning electronics, into distorted, black metal guitars kick off "Return The Distance". Saxophone takes a lead as the thundering drums and background guitars hang in the ether. An instrumental track, it really does create an atmosphere and experimentation that the band is trying to do with this album so far. Straying away from it's roots in the aggressive second wave of black metal since their formation.

The album's lead single "Between The World" is the next track. Opening with warping guitar effects and thumping, fuzz heavy bass. Creating a droning effect as the cymbal strikes come in and out like a wave. Very trippy in nature, Espedal delivers a almost occult-like spoken word delivery throughout the uneasy, reverb heavy sound of the track. Conjuring up some kind of demonic presence or being the voice you hear during a bad drug trip. The song channels that unknown and eeriness, with the song being the most "black metal" so far on the album. Caused by the motif and tone of the guitars and play style. With a funeral-doom like pacing, the song does lean towards the doom metal aesthetic at the halfway mark. As Espedal goes from spoken word, to haunting chanting like clean vocals. "I Drink Out of My Head" opens with commanding drums, and guitars and I think clarinet playing along together. Clean, chanting-like vocals kick in to match the drums and up-tempo guitars. The choir-like vocals backing up Espedal, is a nice touch as it segues between lead guitar and wind instruments with a tinge of black metal guitar playing, but in a low energy kind of way. A distortion heavy guitar solo kicks in at the halfway mark, though short, drops out for drums and chanting to return. "Hiding Invisible" opens with an avant-garde like drum and guitar opening. Manic in nature, but somehow organized as they come together with the piercing high notes of the guitar and rumbling bass. Featuring cackling wails and ominous moaning vocals, the song does truly have a mantra, ambient feel to the song's structure. Going for the ambience with a darker, otherworldly feel to the electronics being used. At the halfway mark, the song begins to show its true form, continuing the folk/doom feel that has been prevalent throughout the whole album. The album closer, "By The Shadows", starts off with very low in the mix guitars, before saxophone brings the song's energy up. As the guitars and drums join in, the song has a very up-tempo aesthetic to it. Giving off vibes of some of the goth rock bands I mentioned earlier like Christian Death or The Sisters of Mercy. Musically, it really hits its stride at the halfway mark, really going for the gusto for the remaining half of the song. Pushing vocals, guitar energy and electronic experimentation as the album officially comes to a close.

With ...By The Shadows..., Trelldom took their sound into a complete new direction and experimentation into the post rock/metal arena. Infused with elements of folk, drone, avant-garde and creativity throughout. For fans expecting the harsh black metal sound from their early releases, this record will not be for you. I do like this direction for the band. Making this project stand out from Espedal's main project Gaahls Wyrd. This would be a great record to listen to as we head into the fall/winter season. A unique record that I want to see where Trelldom goes from here, and how they will take this new direction even further upon future releases.

SCORE: 8.5 / 10