Black Metal

GRYMMSTALT is a new cross-continental project between two of black metal’s busiest men: Wampyric Strigoi (WAMPYRIC RITES, DUNGEON STEEL, AURAE LUNAE et. al.) and Lord Valtgryftåke (RÜNDGARD, Pyreficativm, Gryftigæn, 13th Temple, Mánþiel et. al.). While both also helm WINTERSTORM, GRYMMSTALT foregoes that band’s more medieval ruminations toward the trance-inducing melancholy of Burzum circa Filosofem – or perhaps more concretely, grim disciples like early Forgotten Woods, I Shalt Become, and Wigrid. Their first recording under this banner, Athems of Mournful Despondency is accurately titled: five time-expanding/halting tracks across 45 haunting minutes, shimmering with a strangely full rawness that only heightens (or deepens) the despairing abyss you’ll be inexorably drawn toward.

Black Metal.

Totaling five tracks in 30 minutes, Trident and Vision is structured in a unique way. Of those five tracks, both HAIL CONJURER and ABSOLUTE KEY have their own respective track; then, the other three tracks are completely collaborative works between both bands. Just as uniquely, the tracklisting alternates these collaborative and solo tracks, making the flow of the record fever-dreaming, unpredictable, and above all, unsettling. While both HAIL CONJURER and ABSOLUTE KEY already skirt the hinterlands of “abstract,” the totality of this record – both solo and collaborative – is further abstracted, stretching to a dangerous limit the already-broad stylistic repertoire of both bands, altogether imparting a worn-out feeling that irrevocably underlines that their creators are far from steady & clear-headed people. Reflective of this shared-yet-still-divergent vision, both bands at the upcoming gig will perform together, creating blackened soundscapes partly planned and partly based on instinct. No light…no hope.