Review VANHELGD “Atropos Doctrina”

You can’t have all bands on your radar and one of the groups I missed are Swedish black metallers Vanhelgd. Since some of you might have the same white spot on the black metal map, a few facts about the band.

Vanhelgd was formed in 2007 and premiered in 2008 with “Cult of Lazarus”. A new album was released every two years before the pandemic and other hurdles made it six years before “Atropos Doctrina” was delivered to the record stores. It is the band’s sixth full-length album and contains eight morbid musical tales. So, 6-6-8 is the new formula.

Six years may seem like a long time, but listening to the quartet’s latest effort confirms that it was worth the wait. Having overcome the difficulties of the pandemic years, Vanhelgd seem to be stronger and more confident. They have masterfully crafted eight songs that are rooted in black metal but also have a death metal feel.

“Atropos Doctrina” is a furious and sinister album that has an interesting opener in “Saliga äro de dödfödda”. With a blackened and atmospheric approach Vanhelgd sets the tone. Together with the malicious “Galgdanstid” the opener is one of the shorter tracks on the album. These songs are more to the point while most of the tracks exceed the five minute mark.

One of the lengthier songs is “Kom dödens tysta ängel”. The track basically contains all the trademarks of the band, with hoarse and intense vocals helping to create a ferocious vibe.

The masterpiece of the album comes at the end. “Garvjordsfrid” inhales more slow death metal and what’s black in this song is its soul. It is a majestic way to end a longplayer and shows what Vanhelgd is capable of. It’s like hellfire hot lava coming closer and closer. You can already feel the heat and that for more than six minutes.

Vanhelgd have released an impressive album. Their return couldn’t have been stronger, and it seems that the last few years have helped the band to break an established release pattern leading to songs that are excellent examples of atmospheric extreme metal that never lacks for fury and power.