Svarttjern (Norway): “Shame Is Just a Word”

Hans Fyrste and his Svarttjerns are back with the Oslo-based band's fifth album Shame Is Just a Word. First of all, the guitar sound is really cool, it has that typical tone of the classic Norwegian guitar, but Shame Is Just a Word is not a classic Norwegian Black Metal album, even if Fyrste and his companions certainly pay tribute to the illustrious Norwegian tradition. Svarttjern's new album is a modern black metal album and can be seen as a conflation of influences from classic bands, the sound of modern Satyricon, and bands like Tulus, Khold and Koldbrann that have promoted black'n roll sound for many years; however, the main riff of “Ravish Me” will make you feel that coldness and that massive sound that made Norwegian black metal famous in the 90s. Also very cool is the cover of “Bonded by Blood” by Exodus. The album is overall solid, coherent and very enjoyable, and I like it very much. To me this album belongs by rights to the group of the best releases of 2020.
 
Notes:
Shame Is Just a Word was released on January 19, 2020 via Soulseller Records.
 
Personnel:
Grimmdun: Drums
HaaN: Guitars (lead)
Fjellnord: Guitars
HansFyrste: Vocals
Malphas: Bass
 
Text by Herjann
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