Vordr – II
There aren’t many bands that forge their own truly unique style. Alongside such greats as Abigor and Arckanum are Vordr. The Fins always have managed to cover new ground in the genre and although this album is four years old already, it certainly does just that.
I reckon this is the best of their eleven releases to date and demonstrates most effectively the irregular approach they employ. In fact everything about this album defies common perception and combines elements that really shouldn’t mix. On paper the use of fuzzy guitars, high pitched singing and minimalistic but proficient drums makes for ridiculous Black Metal but Vordr make it work.
How? Quite simply by creating sinister and catchy old school riffs and the funny, infectious vocals. Sure they are a couple of octaves higher than your average vocals but rather than being all screechy and annoying like vampiric or depressive Black Metal, Gand’s style is more vomit-ridden and cruel. The effect is striking.
The tunes on offer on II are mainly three minutes long with a couple of longer and shorter ones. There really isn’t a bad track as they seem to bang them out with metronomic precision. The first song features quite a chunky low riff and some deep angrily spoken verse and breaks you in to the guitar sound. However when ‘Eyes of Uncaring Cold’ bursts open it always takes you by surprise. In contrast to the opening track there is quick, spikey riffing and fucked-up shrieking that sounds like the Queen of the Harpies in mid-orgasm while flicking her bean with a Kraken’s tooth!
That’s pretty much all there is to it, just variations on a theme. That’s not to say its boring because II is a really enjoyable listen with heaps of re-playability and originality. For instance the bulk of lyrical themes here are about nature with song titles including: ‘Crystal Lakes’, ‘Old Bark’ and ‘Hibernation’ the latter of which is my favourite Vordr song of all time and is akin to Black Metal Doom as it rumbles along.
These songs have their own little qualities too that reflect their titles and are certainly evocative of natural elements; the scent of fresh rain, the feel of cold damp soil and the faint sound of squirrel feces impacting on the forest floor. Indeed Vordr have a quality all of their own and still pump out decent releases in their inimitable fashion. If you aren’t familiar with Vordr you should check out the myspace page and you’ll see what I mean.
Bands like this keep the genre from becoming stagnant and enrich your enjoyment of it and deserve full credit for it. If you’re looking for something a bit different and unusual to add to your collection this is it.
Black Metal is dead. In the UK at least. Seeing as though it is the place that gave birth to the genre it is as fuckin’ useless a broke-dick dog. There is no scene to speak of, just the odd one or two equally useless bands trying in vain to mimic some of the more [...]
Opening with a song title of the length Bal Sagoth would be proud of (thankfully that’s as the only comparison to draw), the imaginatively titled ‘A Glimpse of the Image of Lucifer Gleaming Beyond the Subterraneous Black Sun’ marches forth. Mid paced, it stamps away with the precision of a well oiled Black Metal machine [...]
“Bands like this keep the genre from becoming stagnant and enrich your enjoyment of it and deserve full credit for it.”
I’m simply enjoying this right now…’I',’II’,'III’ especially ‘II”…..simply nasty:) Support the underground.Unusual and rare..lovin’ it.
BUMP…III is great.
All vordr’s stuff is good but II is the most consistent and best sounding.
thanks for introducing me to this.. definitely this caught my attention, will have to listen further..
Not heard III yet, but this is fuckin great. Reminds me in places of Arckanum’s ‘Trulen’ but with heavier thrashy riffs.