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Arckanum: Helvitismyrkr
27/01/12 || lou.imm0rtal
This is the motherfucken way it gets done. In your face, deathly, and thrashy as fuck black metal. If any of you are well versed in black metal then I can only assume that you have some idea that the innovators of this genre were never your typical “black metal” musicians. If anything, they are all very versatile in various styles of metal or music in general. We all know that the true black metal can only be found in the cold and wood infested regions of the north—Scandinavia. With this said, let us explore the manifestation that took place in a town located about 5-6 hours north of Sweden’s capital, Mora. His name is Johan Lahger (aka Shamaatae) and by many around the world, he is considered a master of the black arts and a metal thrasher at heart. After leaving the band Conquest (later became Grotesque), he went on to form his own death metal band named Disinterment. They released one demo, played some gigs but the band disbanded shortly after.
It was towards the end of 1992 that he began to dwell deeper into the black arts and adhere more to the native black metal sound of his regions. This was the time when the birth of Arckanum took place and probably his greatest effort in metal music for the past 20 years. Arckanum consisted of a full line-up but after their first cult recording “Trulen,” Johan decided to take the charge all on his own and it is now solely his vision. Every aspect of the band is entirely the making of this one man. The past 20 years have shown a vast spectrum of growth for this band. You can clearly see the growth and the path of sound taken in every record—reaching greater heights of black metal expression every single time.
Let us now talk of his latest effort, Helvitismyrkr (old Icelandic for Hell’s Darkness/Darkness of Hell – all Arckanum lyrics are written in old Swedish or old Icelandic). I believe that each new production created by this band is a step forward with what was originally intended in mind at every step of the way. This truly an impressive music delivered with much passion and thoughtful structuring. As each instrument is carefully organized by one man, the rate of artistic control is adherent in every angle of each song. The production used being one of the best aspects of this record as it truly captures the sound that was aimed for and thus creating a powerful opus. I have been listening to Arckanum for many years now and I was slayed by the record “ÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞ” from 2009 from there on, I thought to myself, “what the fuck man? Where could he possible take this to now?” The display of pure awesomeness in that record still makes me want to turn into a wolf and tear out the guts of every living holy creature on earth.
Shortly after ““ÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞ,” Johan delivered a more laid-back release. It was not laid-back as in he began to experiment with proto-prog-jazz-metal or anything like that… it was still a vicious and bloodthirsty album but not as aggressive or abrasive as the one before it. But it is with “Helvitismyrkr” that you can truly feel the amalgamation of what was happening with Arckanum after its 2009 debut. It all makes sense now and I believe that Johan has reached the ultimate height of his vision. I have no idea what will come next but this record does not let you down. Back to back, it delivers epic songs with incredible guitar structures that make you wish you were in the woods sharing the solitude that nature, the ever so neglected carrier of all elements, has to offer. It is a very natural sounding record and this is definitely one of the highlights of Arckanum recordings. It seems that not only is the music very in-tuned with the spirituality presented in his beliefs but this very aspect is also sculpted carefully in the studio production process.
Countries like Sweden have always impressed me in their admiration for music as well as their natural ability to learn instruments to create their own music. It is very refreshing to hear a one-man band deliver great tunes such as the ones found in Arckanum records. Granted, every single record has been a significant growth from the other and you can clearly see the pattern. But with age comes wisdom and with wisdom comes the true display of mastery. This is exactly what “Helvitismyrkr” is! Get yourself this record and blast the fuck out of it because it will surely bring you closer to your inner self and to appreciate the natural manifestations that exist all around us. I am seated with great anticipation and contempt to experience the next Arckanum opus because it can only surprise the fuck out of me since I cannot fathom what he could possibly do next. I am sure it will be a tremendous ice storm from the nether regions of mother north.
- Information
- Released: 2011
- Label: Season of Mist
- Website: www.arckanum.se
- Band
- Johan Lahger (aka Shamaatae): all instruments
- Tracklist
- 01. Helvitt
- 02. Myrkrin Vinna Hefnt
- 03. Ór Djúpum
- 04. In Svarta
- 05. Nifldreki
- 06. Svartr ok Þursligr
- 07. Þrúðgelmis Hlaut
- 08. Sísoltinn
- 09. Outro
