This is the second album from Swedish solo black metal act Häxkapell.
Om Jordens Blod och Urgravens Grepp is a 40-minute black metal album brought to us by a member of Sons of Crom. This is a detailed, multifaceted form of black metal, consisting of many component parts that work together to create something engaging and enjoyable.
The music of Häxkapell is black metal with a strong emphasis on atmosphere, melody, folk highlights, and progressive depth. Om Jordens Blod och Urgravens Grepp has a broad sound, enriched by the artist’s diverse skillset and musical background, (as well as guests who perform drums and violins/additional vocals). This makes for a collection of songs that benefit from a wider viewpoint than is typical for the style, informing their makeup and allowing them to express themselves clearly and richly. It’s black metal, but unrestricted within this.
The songs have been crafted with care and consideration. The artist’s diverse influences manifest as black metal that has a lot going on. There are fiery riffs and melodies that are drenched in feeling. There’s epic grandeur and sombre clean singing. The atmosphere is immersive, yet there are also more hooks than you’d typically expect on something like this. The songwriting is creative and evocative, but also displays a firm understanding of quality control, meaning that the songs never get away from themselves or venture too far away from their intended trajectory.
Well-performed throughout, Om Jordens Blod och Urgravens Grepp is a rewarding record to get to know. The forging of atmospheric, melodic, folk, and progressive black metal into a cohesive whole is well-realised, and enjoyably accessible. This is a compelling record with personality, and I heartily suggest you spend some time with it.
Wonderbox Metal 