Long has it been a trend that we put black metal of the Norwegian variety into a category all of its own. Why such a trend began I will not claim to not, but it easily grown into one of the most devout veins in all of black metal when it comes to perpetuating that original flame as much as possible while, obviously, doing the best each band can to deliver quality without a shred of compromisation. Worthy acts can effortlessly seem few and far between given the high standard that the style is constantly being held to, but when a name does come around that delivers the goods then it demands to be hailed for all that it brings to the table. After stumbling upon the latest creation from Kvad tonight, I feel confident in highlighting the name as just such an act.

Despite only having put out its first two pieces of material just last year, Kvad’s arrival from the shadows is no something that is to be taken lightly in any form whatsoever. Everything about what has been poured into this second offering of “So Old” provides us with damn near anything that one could ever possibly relate to what it means to make a work of Norwegian black metal not just stand out from the crowd, but pass any and every test one may throw its way. Right from the very premise of the album and its very cover art, Kvad sets itself up for success with the very whole of these eight tracks across a nearly 52-minute runtime showing us a prowess in the sound as its bounds between the realms of life and death in such a way that leaves the listener utterly rooted in place through sheer fascination. While far from what I’m sure afficianados of the sound would call a stroke of genius, the very presence and power of Kvad throughout the entirety of “So Old” leaves me well impressed. It’s more than just a collection of lo-fi riffs and screams recorded in some basement with the concept of snowy forests on the mind. Rather, Kvad rises to the occasion to deliver a performance that is as potent as it is unyielding with its mentality only matched by its calculated ferocity as it all comes together brilliantly every step of the way. By the end, we’re not left with some hollow shell try to ride on the shoulders of those who have come before, but a purveyor seeking to carve a path of its own with the talent and capacity to make it a cold reality.

The very earth wretches at the sounding of Kvad’s horns with the winds utterly biting for the whole of this record whilst Kvad weaves its dark magics without so much as a care for what stands in its way. The moment is primed for Kvad to make a move on the sound that we haven’t seen the likes of in years, and it is whatever that’s to come next can thank its existence to “So Old” for all that it dared to bring forth. All that the record is surely marks just the beginning of many dark offensives on the behalf of Kvad, and I can only hope that others will join me as we wait for the icy breath of Kvad’s darkness to beckon our souls into the abyss before long.

LISTEN to “So Old” on Bandcamp here.

Kvad does not have any social media presence from what I could find, so please follow Kvad on its Bandcamp page here to stay up-to-date on any future activity from the band.