History has always been a big thing in the world of metal with all different kinds of acts from all different kinds of styles showcasing many different stories from across time in their works. Whether it’s something big like WWII or the Nanking Massacre, metal has never shied away from retelling gruesome tales both of our listening pleasure and the preservation of these events so that they’re not forgotten. In the case of Ildskær, I was not aware before of what they’re covering and it really carries this album without breaking a single sweat.

It is throughout this scathing work that we’re given a glimpse into an incident that I feel many of us outside the respective countries involved may have ever heard about, especially given it took place over 200 years ago at this point. The British bombing of Copenhagen in 1807 and the subsequent thievery of Dano-Norwegian fleet is a fascinating topic that I’d rather let you investigate on your own as this is no place for it, but it’s that backdrop with which Ildskær bases their debut from. Even the cover art, “The Most Terrible Night” by C.A. Lorentzen who witnessed the bombardment, is the English translation of the album’s title. But as far as music goes, it really is carried by its premise. That’s not to say that this album is bad nor incompetent by any stretch, but there are plenty of moments that almost feel too by the numbers when it comes to black metal even though there are plenty of times throughout “Den Rædsomste Nat” that Ildskær shows off a very solid display of talent. We’re given plenty of the things that we see throughout black metal when it comes to all of the instruments here as well as the vocals, but, like I said, there are more than enough moments in all seven tracks of “Den Rædsomste Nat” that it’s a real casual listen for any fan of black metal that happens upon this intriguing release.

There’s still loads to enjoy throughout everything that Ildskær has to offer here, and you can really feel that this act is just on the very cusp of something pretty awesome when you take the entirety of this work into account. The historical factor may be the best part of this work for me, but it’s the scathing black metal that “Den Rædsomste Nat” is constantly throwing forth that is far from anything to scoff at by any standard.

“Den Rædsomste Nat” releases on September 2nd via Wolfspell Records!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Den Rædsomste Nat” on Bandcamp here.

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