“Picking a top record of the year was more difficult than usual in 2024. Anything in the top 5 (well, 6, actually) easily could have qualified here, and there was much internal debate. What it came down to was which album got the most plays, the most attention, and the most intrigue, and at the end, the choice was unexpected but pretty obvious.
Trelldom is a well-known, well-regarded name in the annals of black metal, having formed in 1992 and released a trilogy of fiery records from 1995 through 2007. Led by the legendary vocalist Kristian Eivind Espedal—Gaahl, if you’re unaware—who has fronted other renowned acts including Gorgoroth, Gaahls Wyrd, and Wardruna, the band returns 17 years after their last record with “…By the Shadows…” a creation that certainly paints outside the rigid sub-genre lines. This band isn’t content to keep making the same thing, and we’ll all luckier for it. This is an inventive foray, one that infected me deeply.
“The Voice of What Whispers” opens with the bass squeezing, tension building and churning, woodwinds adding a chilling breeze. Espedal’s vocals turn to a creak singing, adding a sinister element, the haunting swirling before guitars rip and spellbind. The playing jars as the sax sizzles, zipping into the darkness. “Exit Existence” has guitars jolting and the vocals daring, a propulsive melody ripping veins as the singing aches and bellows. “Between the World” is the highlight for me, and it has guitars bending as the sounds smear and disorient, growled whispers leaving scars. The temperatures drop, making your body shiver relentlessly, the chorus gliding as the title is called back with detached horror, howls repeating as they head into mist and echo. “I Drink out of My Head” is active and fluid, sax cutting through muscle, the singing gliding along with the waves. The power chugs as sounds gust, the sax turning tornadic, and deep, tunneling singing making its impact. Closer “By the Shadows” has charred guitars and a spastic pace, the singing turning dark and moody, then playing bursting open like lava through the earth’s crust.
Trelldom’s first record in 17 years not only is an unexpected and devious treat, but it’s also a much different world from them than what they established on their initial run. Everything on “…By the Shadows…” bleeds darkness and mystery, and the expanded sounds, the inclusion of saxophone, actually makes the music more unsettling, like a dark figure in the night whose intentions are unknown. It’s our favorite record of the year. (Sept. 13)
For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/Trelldom1992
To buy the album, go here: http://lnk.spkr.media/trelldom-shadows
For more on the label, go here: https://en.prophecy.de/
Meat Mead Metal 