Heavy metal long has provided rich content on the destruction of our world, wars, evil, and anything that tears us apart by the seams. As we move closer to that becoming an actual reality, and as we stare a volatile future in the eyes, it seems like those bands might have been onto something. We’re nearly in hell.
Swedish death crushers Vanhelgd worked at a pretty steady clip from 2008 to 2018, releasing five records that established their fire and fury. But it’s been six years since we heard from the band—guitarists/vocalists Mattias Frisk and Jimmy Johansson, bassist Jonas Albrektsson, drummer Mathias Westman—and there’s a good reason for that. We had a global pandemic that shut down the world, crippling a lot of bands’ progress in the process, and things steadily have fallen apart globally ever since. Now arrives their sixth record “Atropos Doctrina,” sung in their native tongue, and it’s a barnstormer that takes you apart limb from limb, forcing you to stare into the miasma of hell that is our world.
“Saliga äro de dödfödda” churns as the hellish howls bellow, manic fluidity overwhelming, the playing feeling melodic and punchy. The fury continues as the drums are mashed, desperate wails calling out as the door is slammed shut. “Kom dödens tysta ängel” brings spiraling guitars and a surging attack, savage growls making their impact as blunt fury has its way. Grisly leads tingle as the playing is flush with color, whipping into a frenzy that robs you of breath. “Ofredsår” enters with drums pacing the machine as nasty wails leave welts, melodic fire unleashing havoc as the temperatures increase. Leads round back as the vocals get more incendiary, scathing through catchy madness and blending into spacious skies. “I ovigd jord” has spindling, humid guitars swarming, desperate cries reverberating, and a section of slowly paced punishment opening wounds. The infernal power makes the surface quake, the pressure building as growls engorge, and gothy keys drip away.
“Atropos Hymnarium” echoes with doom bells ringing, guitars snaking as the walls are smashed, guitars exploring as doomy ugliness rears its head and revels in soot. The playing then unloads, the playing cascading over harsh wails, the beastlike nature drawing blood. “Galgdanstid” bursts and immediately slashes flesh, crazed calls swelling, a melodic gust feeling almost tornadic. Strong guitar work takes off as new colors conjure spirits, the playing scorching until the final second. “Kerernas törst” delivers spiraling guitars, savage wails, and a forceful storm that forces you to take cover. The darkness continues to spread, viciousness welling up and threatening to take you down, blistering to a mangling finish. Closer “Gravjordsfrid” dawns with hissed howls, a grisly grind, and thorny, slower pounding. The growls dig deep as sorrowful melodies mix in with the carnage, the guitar work sends off echoes, and eerie keys lay the record to rest.
Vanhelgd see the same impending darkness many of us have spotted on the horizon, and they spill their dour tidings into “Atropos Doctrina.” I speak English, so I have no idea what the fuck they’re actually saying; but anger and destructive visions defy language and deliver universal messages on these songs. This is a morbid, yet oddly catchy record that soundtracks a downfall that looks to be driven by avarice and greed.
For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/vanhelgd
To buy the album, go here: https://www.darkdescentrecords.com/shop/
For more on the label, go here: https://www.facebook.com/DarkDescentRecords/
Meat Mead Metal 