Vægtløs – Aftryk
Vægtløs – Aftryk
Self-released
Release Date: 02/02/24
Running Time: 38:03
Review by Oli Gonzalez
8/10
What inspires musicians to write music? What fuels the lyrical content for a band’s original anthems? Some very broad questions. Questions that could probably fill books or be the subject of doctoral theses. Perhaps some songs are designed purely for commercial value, and to get people hooked with catchphrases and easy to follow lyrics. Some may wish to go down the more personal route and craft a ballad recalling a more individual or meaningful tale. Vægtløs are definitely leaning more towards this side of this spectrum, perhaps taking that to an extreme. What makes them different though? Well, after listening to their debut release “Kakafoni”, it’ll be clear. As it was for me. It had been a while since I had heard anything so raw, explicit, and a band with a sound that dives to the darkest depths of human emotion! All of this presented in a blackened atmospheric post metal package that was seemingly custom built for me. Which was why I was so eager to get my hands on the Danish act’s upcoming album “Aftryk”. An album tackling personal and emotionally charged themes ranging from witnessing the effects of substance abuse to close family members through to coping with the loss of someone to cancer, this is definitely not for the faint of hard. I’m ready though… I believe. Let’s get into it.
The album’s opening track begins with a moody, melancholic soundscape. This is so dark and visceral, yet so aesthetically pleasing to my ear drums (as a side note, I’ll refer to the songs as they appear on the running order – i.e. first song, second. Seems lazy but given the long titles that are in Danish, I think this approach will improve the flow of the review). The implementation of the voice over adds more intrigue and interest. One aspect I did find a little more difficult to digest at first; the vocals. Even though they’re entirely in Troels’ native tongue (of which I do not speak a word of), I think this is necessary for him to convey some of these darker emotions. Especially as the band’s press kit indicates that this song is centred around him losing his sister-in-law to cancer! No, this isn’t the issue, in fact the more I think of it, the more I admire how he can conjure up a vocal tone that is simply drenched in sorrow and pure anguish. I just think whilst over the more calmer passages, it can be a little overpowering in the mix and was a little uncomfortable for me at first. I’m sure this is a simple engineering fix though and bringing the volume down in the mix will be a simple resolution in the future. However, after around the 3 minute mark, the dynamics change significantly. Where the bass, drums, and guitars had been somewhat passive and dormant up until now, there’s a sharp increase in the song’s pace and your senses will be smashed with a fierce onslaught, all instruments locking in to create an overwhelming atmospheric wall of sound! This is glorious. I love it! More crucially though, the lead vocals are much better placed in the mix here, and those wailing anguished screams combine with this dramatic atmospheric undertone to create an unholy synergy that’s simply a sight to behold! Then mercifully, calm and respite. Another calmer melancholic passage. Before the onslaught begins again! This was rollercoaster for sure! One that I’m definitely going to queue up to get on again!
The next and second song adopts a similar approach to alternating between passages of calm and sheer unrelenting intensity, all with a primitive emotion lurking within! Here though, there’s definitely more of a traditional black metal vibe lurking within the music, provided mostly by the guitars and the use of chromatic tremolo picked patterns. As well as some thunderous blast beats we’ve all come to love from this extreme genre.
Next up, a more Doom-inspired opening, much in the vane of an early Bell Witch. This is so dark and austere. I love it! There’s definitely a black metal spine towards the mid and latter stages, satisfying that need for extreme metal. As if I didn’t think the vocals could get more intense, here they do, continuing those anguished raw screams.
This pattern of alternating between periods of slower atmospheric vibes, and passages of blatant black metal intensity is an ever present in the album, and continues through to the end. Much in the same way Belgian post-metal titans Amenra have done for almost 2 decades, and have built a huge following in doing so. This comparison to Amenra for Vægtløs also lies within the primitive vocal styles of the two respective frontman. Thus try to imagine them and the visceral primitive approach of Shining and post black metal edge of Downfall Of Gaia, and this is what Vægtløs would sound like. Their sound may be a little difficult to get used to at first, but like most things in life, nothing great comes without a little effort and persistence. Like a rollercoaster, you have to endure the not-so-fun elevation before experiencing the thrill on the other side of the drop. “Aftryk” is a rollercoaster of a ride that should be experienced by anybody seeking a deep dive into the darkest depths of the human psyche.
TRACKLISTING
01. Ingenting kan forhindre, at små struber skælver en forårsnat
02. Først da vi bar din kiste gik det op for mig, hvor meget tungt du skulle igennem, før du blev så let
03. Her i vores hjerter bærer vi en ny verden
04. Tag dit knuste hjerte og lav det til kunst
LINE-UP:
Frederik Højlund: Guitars
Jeppe Nørgaard: Bass
Tobias Aske Heltborg: Drums
Troels H. Sørensen: Vocals
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Oli Gonzalez and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
