The idea of bringing melancholy into a work of black metal is far from a novel idea for the style with that having been the case for decades at this point. But, like many things that are done over and over again, the quality can seem like it’s facing a downward slope until something particularly exceptional manages to come along and bring it all back to its former glory. Skognatt has been hard at work doing that for years now ever since its debut album, but it’s now with the help of Wehmut that they’re ready to really show us something more than simply interesting with its partner in this case more than matching the fervor and passion at play.

It’s one thing for a band to perform a sound repeatedly as time goes on, but it’s another thing altogether for a band to transform their sound with the progression of time to really allow their sound to evolve into something that’s certifiably interesting as they become more adept and familiar with what all can be done. In no small way, Skognatt has been changing ever since their debut with their half of this split, “The Swarm”, truly the culmination of all that the name has been building up to. Coated with a distinct atmosphere but absolutely overflowing with a sense for the style that keeps everything interesting, moving forward, and more than dynamic to really allow for the sense of a burning field in the face of overwhelming odds as the very goodness of the world fades into nothingness. Alone, that already makes for a satisfying listen, but it’s then that we transition into Wehmut’s half, “November”, which sees a similar sound but a different approach. Much more outward in its suffering but then more than content to simply let the smallest moments of their three songs play massive roles in the overall performance, Wehmut’s passion here puts the world we saw with Skognatt before now become wreathed in dusk-light, waiting to be born anew even as the dark coldness of night approaches where the flames seem all the more indomitable and harrowing. Separate, these two experiences are already nothing to scoff at whatsoever as each band plays their roles to tremendous effect with nary a flaw to be had as far as I’m concerned, but it’s together that Skognatt and Wehmut make for an absolutely staggering work of atmospheric black metal that’s as melancholic as it is cohesive, beautiful as it is violent, and entrancing as it is tear-jerking.

A split of this caliber is absolutely what we need more of throughout the very whole of the underground of black metal. Whether you find yourself leaning more towards Skognatt or Wehmut in this split, there’s no denying that they both managed to surpass any and all expectations that may have been had before hearing what “The Swarm / November” had to offer with the final reality being that of a compelling listen that encapsulates so much of what has made atmospheric black metal the phenomenon that it is with no less than stupendous form around every corner in every minute.

LISTEN to Skognatt’s “The Swarm” on Bandcamp here.

LISTEN to Wehmut’s “November” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Wehmut on Facebook here.

Skognatt no longer has any social media platform that I could find, so please follow the band on Bandcamp here to stay up-to-date on the band and its releases.