With the very existence of renowned black metal overlords Helheim, Enslaved, and Gorgoroth, the west coast of Norway undoubtedly always got new enthralling releases to look forward to all year round. The key figures of the Bergen scene truly know what they’re doing, particularly in their respective nichés– and even though it’s not black metal this time, Vulture Industries and their new release Ghosts from the Past (Dark Essence), have gotta be one of the noteworthy releases from Norway’s west coast that everyone ought to keep an eye on.
While presenting narrations that reflect fear of a world spinning out of control and a sense of powerlessness in the face of a world order falling apart, they have also managed to sonically deliver a combination of everything at once; a progressive avant-garde nuanced blend of metal and punk, and also apocalyptic post-Punk influenced elements that matches the Nordic noir atmosphere very well.
Not only featuring the standard guitars-bass-drums lineup of heavy rock/metal instruments, they also featured the uses of a wider range of instruments as well as an attempt of experimenting with more eclectic influences, such as trumpets, sax, keys, and accordion.
Containing seven tracks and running at around forty minutes, this record’s creative process started in 2018 and ended in 2022, which marks their longest haul to date. Now that they have succeeded in finishing the production period of the album, they are ready to subvert against the ever-present tales of old ideas fronted by autocratic warlords with no sight in mind but their own power and legacy.
Title track “New Lords of Light” appears to be strong on post-punk-influenced, vibrato-laden dramatic vocals from distinctive vocalist Bjørnar Erevik Nilsen, while there are tracks with relatively slower paces such as “Saturn Devouring His Young” and “This Hell is Mine”. “Deeper” opens with solemn trumpet lines and is followed by upbeat riffs; proceeded by “Right Here in the Dark” with its heavier bass lines. “Not by Blood, but by Words” is perhaps the most metal-leaning and the darkest tracks out of the album, and closing track “Tyrants Weep Alone” is a sax-featuring, satire-bound lamentation with intense tones of indignation.
Think of fellow Norwegians The Dogs and Spidergawd mixed all together but with waves of apocalyptic tones and post-punk influences. Not only is Ghosts from the Past sonically pleasant to discover, but it also features mind-opening narrations as well.
Buy the album here:
http://www.vulture-industries.net/
8 / 10
RALKA SKJERSETH