KRONET TIL KONGE

Dodheimsgard was the formation of Aldrahn and Vicotnik, two members of the Norwegian black metal realm. With assistance from DarkThrone drummer Fenriz on bass guitar, the debut Kronet Til Konge was released on Malicious Records in 1995. The music is fairly standard black metal of the Norwegian variety. Dodheimsgard execute the raw, primal and ugly elements of this form of expression and indulge without apprehension or concern for progression. There is no attempt to revolutionize. There is no experimentation or enhancement of traditional stylistic values. The work is simply an immersion in blackened sonic desires.

Kronet Til Konge succeeds as a fulfilling listening experience despite this intentional disregard for innovation/progression. This is because the members of Dodheimsgard possess a clear and focused understanding of black metal's sonic and thematic essence. As with any good black metal work, the music creates and sustains an atmosphere of thick, suffocating darkness and expresses a charged and passionate agony. Aldrahn's vocals are agonized screams of existential torment and frustration. His expression carries an earthy deepness that differs from the typical high-end banshee screams and troll croaks commonly associated with the genre. Perhaps one of the most underrated vocal performances in the history of black metal recordings, Aldrahn's voice is possessed with a dark and hateful determination. As the music mostly races past in a blackened blur, Aldrhan's vocals become the central focus in terms of individual performance. Without such a convincing and passionate representation this music would lose a significant amount of appeal.

With the knowledge and acceptance that the album does not aspire to broaden black metal's stylistic horizons, the listen can be a rewarding one. In a sense, Kronet Til Konge represents everything that black metal should be. Its soul is blasphemous and misanthropic, and its expression is thick with blackened passion and torment. Atmospherically, the music reflects a damp, dark cave of unforgiving coldness. Most importantly, the effects are sustained for the work's duration, allowing for a consistent presence to be established. It is not one of the greatest black metal recordings of all time. However, it succeeds in convincingly expressing and satisfying the desired emotional and atmospheric aspects of this style of music.