Review by Sandre the Giant
The trve Norwegian theme runs deep through this debut demo from raw black metallers Skarntyde. Their name is the Norwegian name for ‘poisonous hemlock’, which any self respecting druid will know is nasty stuff, and their lyrics and song titles are all Norwegian too. Nasty, second wave worship is what we are in for here. it is out now through their Bandcamp.
Opener ‘Sult’ is an exercise in the cathartic power of proper raw black metal. Scalding riffs breathe fire over snarling vocals and an impenetrable drum battery in the background. The concept of the album follows the sparrowhawk in its hunger and hunt for prey. It is a really interesting concept for an EP to contain and follow, and it works. The eagerness of ‘Fokus’, searching for prey amongst savage riffs. ‘Jakten’, the hunt itself with a pensive guitar building into the crescendoing attack run. ‘Ferskt Blod’, rife with the fresh kill, blood drenched vocals scouring harsh, midpaced black metal and ‘Fred’, a dark sense of satisfaction and completeness.
I love the idea that ‘Spurvehauk’ builds upon, and with each track you can imagine the drama unfold in your mind. The pure violence of nature, captured within icy raw riffing and primal shrieks and growls. ‘Spurvehauk’ is an intrguing proposition whose concept elevates it above most raw black metal I’ve heard in recent memory.
https://skarntyde.bandcamp.com/album/spurvehauk
The Killchain 