Founded in 2023, Norwegian act Avrak is the brainchild of guitarist Ted Skjellum (aka Nocturno Culto of legendary Black Metallers Darkthrone) and vocalist/guitarist Anders Hegna of Nød, and El Kayenne. With their name rooted in Norse mythology (Avrak and Alsviðr were two horses that drew the chariot bearing the sun) you could be forgiven for thinking the band’s primary subject matter would be derived from Nordic history and folklore. However, while those themes and inspirations may be present, their eponymously titled album focuses more on personal empowerment, fighting back in a time of increasing corruption.
Kicking off in style, opener “Forever Mountain” sounds like Slayer and Mastodon got stoned and played Doom Metal. Standing above the muscular mid-paced riffing and Black Metal-style guitar work, Hegna’s voice is a low and ragged, mournful wail, the song carried further by drummer Terje Kråbøl (Gjendød, Sarke) and the throbbing bass of Steinar Gundersen (Khold, Satyricon).
“’Unborn” is crafted from slow, melodic black metal and is supported by classic riffing, Hegna producing just the right amount of dirt on his vocals, as the song builds towards a frenetic climax. Although “Long May The Lums Reek” might sound like complete gibberish, it’s actually taken from the old Scottish saying, “Lang may yer lum reek.” And while this obviously sounds even more bizarre (unless you’re Scottish, of course), it translates to “long may your chimney smoke”, which is actually a blessing or good wish of long life. One of the standout tracks on the album, its strong riffs are underpinned by Black Metal notes before delivering a quietly introspective proggy outro.
Atmospheric synth interlude “Rot” (Root) is followed by the slow, insistent crawl of “Varde,” its name pertaining to beacons placed on mountainsides to warn of danger. “Cloaks Of Power” comes with an ominous, doom-laden opening, a sweet Tony Iommi-like guitar solo, and a distinct Norwegian Folk vibe while “The Lonely Shadow” is an aggressive but melodic patchwork of metal stitched together by the likes of Accept, early Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and mid-paced eighties Thrash.
Penultimate cut “The Rift” is what would happen if Mastodon and Sabbath listened to nothing but melodic eightiess metal and Folk Black Metal, while closer “Hav” (Ocean) is all campfire smoke and airy atmospherics, the album choosing to bow out with quiet restraint rather than with all guns blazing.
Sporting a production befitting its nature and quality musicianship throughout, Skjellum and Hegna take classic metal and more traditional sources and give them a modern push without losing any of their personality. An amalgam of ideas which in theory probably shouldn’t work but absolutely do in practice, Avrak (Peaceville Records) is just a different kind of Nordic masterpiece.
Buy the album here:
https://peaceville.bandcamp.com/album/avrak
9 / 10
GARY ALCOCK
Follow his work here: