Dreams don’t have to die, and even stitches of our past that have been covered over due to time can be dug up and made prominent parts of our lives again. Likely those elements slowly have been pushing back up on their own, even unconsciously, until they’re too vibrant to ignore. 

Bergtagen is a project Jon Rosenthal (vocals/guitar/bass who you know from Starless Domain, Boreal, Twilight Falls and many more) worked on two decades ago, battling teen angst and getting more involved in taking on woodsy, atmospheric black metal that was blooming pretty hard at that time. Now, 20 years later, Bergtagen resurfaces with Rosenthal joined by Anthony W. (acoustic guitars, drums, bodhrán) to bring two of these tracks back to life with new, more mature recordings on “In Forests Eternal.” They also include their take on an Agalloch classic, which very much fits the vibe and sound of their original material. It’s a really immersive collection, one that shows you where Rosenthal’s musical brain was years ago and how that translates today. Plus, with the hint of more music from this project ahead, this is an ideal place to burst the first buds on the way to full explosion of life. 

“In Forests Eternal” opens with clean guitars flowing, drums booming, then the whole thing coming to life, soaring with engulfing melodies. Howls ensnare, Rosenthal howling, “Flying, feel the weight of the skyline, falling as the sky turns to black,” clean tributaries combining with explosive gusts, the drumming barreling into glimmering leads. The energies swim though the clouds, acoustics join in a wider flow, cold guitars leaving flesh chilled. “Oak Horizon” is steely and crashes to the earth, Rosenthal calling, “Empty, nowhere is this cold place, clutching closer, worthless, nothing.” Leads jar and dash, taking over your imagination, leading your psyche into thinking of cold walks along half-frozen streams. Immersive playing takes over, pushing blood into your heart, Rosenthal urging, “Feel this cold among the graves, hold this warmth in your heart,” as thorny chaos and rushing power mangles to the end. “You Were But A Ghost In My Arms” in the band’s take on Agalloch’s track from their 2002 album “The Mantle,” and it’s both a relatively faithful version but one that also has some of the band’s own strains and colors worked into the piece. Like, you’ll definitely recognize it when you hear it, but you also can’t miss their personal imprints they put on a song for which they obviously hold much reverence.

Bergtagen’s resurrection comes at a time when chaos has been sowed and division is reality, so “In Forests Eternal” gives us a major boost of something positive to follow into the future. This batch of revived songs has a wild spirit and brings a different energy into the era in which we’re participants, both musically and existentially. This collection proves no idea is ever dead, and it takes is the right inspiration to act as a spark.

For more on the band, go here: https://ampwall.com/a/bergtagen

To buy the album, go here: https://ampwall.com/a/bergtagen/album/in-forests-eternal

For more on the label, go here: https://nebulaeartifacta.bandcamp.com/