UMUR
"Svidd neger" is a soundtrack album release and the seventh full-length studio album by Norwegian experimental music act Ulver. The album was released through Jester Records in September 2003 and it´s the soundtrack to the original motion picture "Svidd Neger". It´s the successor to "Lyckantropen Themes" from November 2002 (also a soundtrack album release), although the two full-length studio albums are bridged by the August 2003 "A Quick Fix of Melancholy" EP.
Try and imagine how the music style found on the "A Quick Fix of Melancholy" EP would sound if the tracks were more ambient, subtle, and repetitive and you´re halfway there describing the sound of "Svidd neger". It´s a pleasant, atmospheric, and ambient soundtrack release, but it´s also apparent that the music is made to be used as the soundtrack to a film. Because as pleasant and calming it is listening to "Svidd neger" it´s obvious that the music would function better while watching the movie. The dramatic climaxes of "Rock Massif Pt. 1" and "Rock Massif Pt. 2" which are placed around the middle of the album are some of the few examples on the album featuring anything but mellow, subtle, melancholic, and ambient music, although the intriguing "Waltz Of King Karl" arguably also falls under the catagory of being different from the remainder of the album. A few shorter noise tracks also help keep the album varied, but the overall feeling after listening to "Svidd neger" is still that it´s predominantly a mellow, subtle, and melancholic ambient music release.
"Svidd neger" features a well sounding production, and especially the programmed orchestral/string parts sound really well. Upon conclusion "Svidd neger" is a good quality ambient music release from Ulver and it´s obvious that it would make an effective soundtrack too. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.