What can a humble reviewer say about an album that has been universally acclaimed as a masterpiece and has availed Kampfar the Grammy Award for the metal category outdoing a tough competition from Tsjuder with Antiliv, Leprous with The Congregation, Enslaved In Times?
Profan came only a year after Djevelmakt, another masterpiece; it is astounding that after only one year Kampfar have managed to churn out such a beautiful and different album. Profan was released in November 2015, and I am reviewing it only now because it took me several listens to really understand the perfection of this album. It's like every time you listen to it, you discover something new or new details. The first song “Glory Ablaze” is a bit misleading, because, at least at the beginning, it has a kind of old touch that makes the listener believe that the band has returned to its old Viking style. But then it becomes clear that the band is continuing on the same path inaugurated in 2011 with Mare, that is to bring atmosphere to the harshness of True Norwegian Black Metal. Listen for example to “Shavank”, a long ride of 7 minutes, or “Daimon”, which begins with some notes of didgeridoo; this song varies the vocal pattern with choruses and intense chants, thanks also to the additional vocals by Geir Torgersen.
The performance of Dolk & Company is perfect throughout the album and “Tornekratt” functions as a majestic closure to this album that is one of the absolute best releases of 2015.
Notes:
Release date: November 12 2015 on Indie Recordings.
Tracklist:
1. Gloria Ablaze
2. Profanum
3. Icons
4. Skavank
5. Daimon
6. Pole in the Ground
7. Tornekratt
Personnel:
Dolk - Vocals
Jon - Bass
Ask Ty - Drums, Vocals (additional)
Ole - Guitars, Keyboards
Session musicians:
Geir Torgersen - Didgeridoo, Vocals (additional)
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
Profan came only a year after Djevelmakt, another masterpiece; it is astounding that after only one year Kampfar have managed to churn out such a beautiful and different album. Profan was released in November 2015, and I am reviewing it only now because it took me several listens to really understand the perfection of this album. It's like every time you listen to it, you discover something new or new details. The first song “Glory Ablaze” is a bit misleading, because, at least at the beginning, it has a kind of old touch that makes the listener believe that the band has returned to its old Viking style. But then it becomes clear that the band is continuing on the same path inaugurated in 2011 with Mare, that is to bring atmosphere to the harshness of True Norwegian Black Metal. Listen for example to “Shavank”, a long ride of 7 minutes, or “Daimon”, which begins with some notes of didgeridoo; this song varies the vocal pattern with choruses and intense chants, thanks also to the additional vocals by Geir Torgersen.
The performance of Dolk & Company is perfect throughout the album and “Tornekratt” functions as a majestic closure to this album that is one of the absolute best releases of 2015.
Notes:
Release date: November 12 2015 on Indie Recordings.
Tracklist:
1. Gloria Ablaze
2. Profanum
3. Icons
4. Skavank
5. Daimon
6. Pole in the Ground
7. Tornekratt
Personnel:
Dolk - Vocals
Jon - Bass
Ask Ty - Drums, Vocals (additional)
Ole - Guitars, Keyboards
Session musicians:
Geir Torgersen - Didgeridoo, Vocals (additional)
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com