BERGTATT - ET EEVENTYR I 5 CAPITLER

Progressive black metal? Yes, it exists, and Ulver were one of the leaders before their drastic left turn. Bergtatt is arguably their best output from their black metal days, incorporating traditional black metal with a strong sense of folk and dynamic elements.

The album starts with a track which reminds me of Opeth during their Orchid days. An uplifting "In Mist she was Standing" styled riff, with an almost marching beat to it ends the track. The second track is generally more folk oriented, and really shows how this is progressive, with flutes and acoustic guitars leading into the typical black metal sound. Garm shows he has vocal abiliies far superior to his black metal peers, with many soaring lines in Soelen Gaaer.

The next track is my favorite, perhaps even one of my most favorite of all black metal songs. Ulver really showed they were different with this track, following many black metal traditions, but with the incorporation of folk and near psychadelic effects. Tremolo picked riffs and blastbeats lead into the most unlikely of directions. A man is running through a forest, crushing limbs along the way, with only a piano as background. After escaping the forest, we are led back to the tremolo riffs and Garm doing what he does best.

This album is the highlight of Ulver's early days, and especially reccommended for those who are fans of early Opeth.