Blodarv- Beyond Life

Beyond life is the fourth release and first EP by the Danish black metal band. It features three tracks that would later make their appearance in different versions on various other releases and one that had already appeared in a different version. The three tracks of which are based on the death of lead vocalist Hugin’s lover Linaria Amlech and this can be felt in the tracks.

The first track Langt Vaek Fra Livet is a slow dirge style song with fuzzed guitars, melodic composed parts, and slow mournful drums. Above this are vocalist Hugin’s mid level screeching accented by the clean female vocals of fellow band member Isaz. All of these elements combine together to deliver an excellent song that is at the same time beautiful and moving while dark and depressive.

The second track Death of Linaria is a haunting spoken word ambient track consisting of fuzz, repetitive keys, and Hugin’s near silent whispers. If this sounds boring then you should give it a listen. Listen to the lyrics and think upon what this track is about and you have before you a truly mesmerizing and powerful piece of “music”.

The third and final track Beyond Life is the most “black metal” of the three filled with more fuzzed guitars melodic leads, and Hugin’s screetches. The drums are incredibly buried making them nearly inaudible but at a point where they really add more to the song this way. The song slowly builds and goes ever higher and higher following the guitars and Hugin’s increasingly powerful vocals as he tells his dreamlike tale and by the end reaches what I would describe as a minimalist epic.

All in all this is a solid release and contains three of the bands best tracks in my opinion and tells the first part in the continuing tale of Linaria.

Link: www.blodarv.org