UMUR
"Black Medium Current" is the sixth full-length studio album by Norwegian avant-garde/progressive black metal act Dødheimsgard. The album was released through Peaceville Records in April 2023. It´s the successor to "A Umbra Omega" from March 2015. Eight years also passed between the release of "Supervillain Outcast" (released in March 2007) and "A Umbra Omega", so the long time between albums isn´t unusual for Dødheimsgard. There have been a few linuep changes since the predecessor as lead vocalist/guitarist Aldrahn has left and along with him also drummer Sekaran aka Terghl. The latter has been replaced by Myrvoll, but Aldrahn has not been replaced. Instead band leader Vicotnik has taken over the vocal duties in addition to handling guitars, synthesizers, effects, and programming. Tommy "Guns" Thunberg (lead guitars) and L.E. Måløy (bass, piano, cello, theremin, effects) remain from the lineup who recorded "A Umbra Omega" along with Vicotnik.
In essence "Black Medium Current" continues the progressive/avant-garde black metal style of "A Umbra Omega", but Dødheimsgard have grown as composers and musicians since the latter mentioned release. The compositions are more fluent and natural in structure, less abstract and more atmospheric. It´s also less technical and experimental than the predecessor. In the case of "Black Medium Current" that´s not a complaint though, but instead a praise, because some of the songwriting ideas on "A Umbra Omega" didn´t always work. It often felt like Dødheimsgard wanted to do more than they were capable of or reached the limits of their songwriting abilities. "Black Medium Current" is more economic in that sense and it´s an important factor when evaluating why this is such a strong release. Dødheimsgard have found the right balance between epic atmospheres, odd avant-garde songwriting ideas, progressive song structures, and their as always strong musicianship. Vicotnik steps up with no problems delivering both strong raspy black metal vocals and various types of melancholic, sorrowfilled, and sometimes desperate sounding clean vocals (even occasionally bordering deranged). The many choirs, harmony- and backing vocals provide interesting textures to that part of the music, and it´s hard not to be impressed by how intriguing and well performed "Black Medium Current" is (both the vocals and the instrumental part of the music). The lyrics are performed in both Norwegian and English.
Stylistically it´s hard to describe exactly how Dødheimsgard sound, because they sound very much like their own. It´s difficult to reference other artists, but the progressive mindset of artists like Opeth, Ihsahn, and Enslaved aren´t all wrong (Hail Spirit Noir should also be mentioned as a possible valid reference), but still not completely true. The slight industrial influence which Dødheimsgard have previously flirted with is minimal on "Black Medium Current", although a track like "Interstellar Nexus" still features a touch of it. "Black Medium Current" is the type of album which needs to be listened to, to truly be able to understand how it sounds. The many different influences and musical elements combined offers the listener a unique listening experience, which just isn´t easily described.
It´s a long album featuring no less than 9 tracks and a total playing time of 69:36 minutes, but not a second of that playing time is wasted on anything non-essential. The album is loaded with epic melancholic atmospheres, interesting changes in texture and dynamics within- and between tracks, and a generally otherworldly/alien approach to writing music. The way the futuristic synths sometimes come in and change the tracks, or surprising moments like the absolutely brilliant closing minutes to album opener "Et Smelter" or the epic melodic choir middle section of "Tankespinnerens Smerte" prove not only the brilliance of Dødheimsgard, but also bring great emotional impact. Atmospheric album closer "Requiem Aeternum" is definitely an example of the latter too.
"Black Medium Current" features a clear, detailed, and powerful sounding production. It´s not a raw black metal oriented sound production, and the most harsh black metal parts of the music sound relatively civil and even a bit polished (not sterile though), but that type of sound production perfectly fits the material on this release. Upon conclusion "Black Medium Current" is a high quality release from Dødheimsgard, proving once again that they are one of the most interesting and unique progressive/avant-garde black metal acts out there. A 4.5 star (90%) rating is deserved.
