Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Solbrud Jaertegn Company: Mighty Music Release: 2015 Genre: Black Reviewer: Greg Watson

Primal roar

Mighty Music is on a tear of incredible bands that are virtually unknown on this side of the pond but are sure to make a big splash. The next band that the Americans should be ready for is Solbrud, a Danish black metal outfit with a sound that is so extreme that most seasoned black metal fans (myself included) will be taken aback. The sound on this album is aural evil plain and simple. The guitars are that trademark black metal buzzsaw sound taken to another level. Imagine that a whirlwind of straight razor blades is encircling you and alternately one to three blades dive bomb you at any given moment. The sheer brutality of the guitars alone is enough to make your jaw drop. The bass is so heavy and thick that I had to cut my sub-woofer off because the thumps of the bass were making my heart jump. But wait, I haven't even gotten to the drums. Drummer Troels Hjorth has got to be a robot, a machine, a Terminator or some sort of alien lifeform because his drumming is just disgustingly ridiculous. The speed at which he continues on every song, which clock it at 10 minutes plus, is just totally mind boggling. What I'm about to say may be considered blasphemy by some but please know that I wouldn't say this unless I sincerely meant it: Troels could go tete-a-tete with Pete Sandoval and have a very good chance of outdoing Pete. I haven't heard drumming like this since I heard my first Morbid Angel album way back in 1999. What's even more impressive is that given the lengths of the songs (11:42, 10:51, 15:57 and 9:58), the band is able to maintain your interest and keep you focused on the music rather than looking at the track time to see how much longer is left. Traditional black metal through and through, there may be a total of 5 minutes on this album where there is any sort of easing up on the extremity and the heaviness. I am in awe of Solbrud and given how raw and organic this album is, black metal purists and metal fans in general will be thoroughly impressed with this band, esepcially since this is their sophomore release. The production has that gritty, lo-fi feel to it, which just adds to the savagery of the band's sound. Solbrud have unleashed a primal roar that dares all of the metal world to ignore them at their own peril. Well guys, you've got my attention and I'm sure many others will follow suit after they pick up their copy of "Jaertegn".