BLACK MEDIUM CURRENT

DODHEIMSGARD began in 1994 Oslo as a fairly typical second wave black metal band in the likes of Darkthrone, Satyricon and a large number of other bands taking metal into the depths of darkness but like many early players got a bit bored with the one-dimensionality of the scene and by the band's third album "666 International" went rogue by taking black metal into the world of the avant-garde with heavy doses of industrial bleakness, occasional jazzy interludes and a sense of wackiness more reserved for totally unhinged bands like Mr Bungle but somehow the band showcased an extreme discipline in crafting an album's worth of exciting musical motifs that defied logic with reckless abandon and ultimately put DODHEIMSGARD on its own trajectory of the ever-expanding black metal scene.


In the 1990s the band released a total of three albums and an EP all with the span of a four year period but in the 21st century has only released a mere three making us wonder if DODHEIMSGARD will ever release another album or just simply disappear into the past. Well luckily the band is simply more obsessed with quality over quantity and has released its sixth overall album in 2023 titled BLACK MEDIUM CURRENT, a whopping eight years since its avant-garde bombshell "A Umbra Omega." Like every album since the 1998's EP "Satanic Art," DODHEIMSGARD has once again taken its music into new territories without jettisoning the sounds that came before. Still primarily stepped in second wave black metal with the addition of industrial bleakness, BLACK MEDIUM CURRENT jettisons a lot of the brutal progressive hairpin turns and surreal nature for a much more melodic and emotional expansive release.

Yes indeed. Still experimental as ever, DODHEIMSGARD has forsaken a ruthless attack of the senses for a more easily connective style that incorporates folk music melodies along with the melodic underpinnings of the original second wave black metal scene only with a top notch production and mixing job that allows every element to live up to its full potential, an attribute that has been the band's bailiwick for well over two decades. Once again this is a lengthy listening experience as DODHEIMSGARD is very much into anchoring itself in the modern reality and has delivered a near 70-minute roster of nine tracks with the majority exceeding the 7-minute mark. Led by drummer guitarist / drummer / vocalist Vicotnik, the band finds yet another lineup with Lars Emil Måløy of If Nothing Is; "Tommy Guns," or Tommy Thunberg, of Kirkebrann; and Øyvind Myrvoll who is Vicotnik's partner in crime in Dold Vorde Ens Navn and a collaborator of Mayhem's Teloch in Nidingr.

Immediately BLACK MEDIUM CURRENT sets itself apart from it's avant-garde predecessor with a melancholic yet melodic opening "Et Smelter." While the black metal guitar heft and industrial electronic wizardry soon join in, the album remains for its entirely much more accessible than anything since the "Satanic Art" EP with super catchy vocal hooks that anchor the album's accessibility with the avant-garde black metal shenanigans that accompany. While many an extreme metal band has "sold out" their experimental principles for a go at a more accessible and commercial sound, DODHEIMSGARD successfully manages to add all the emotive heart string tugs without sacrificing the insouciant urge to sally forth into the realms of the experimental, a feat that has kept DODHEIMSGARD regarded as one of the most accomplished musical acts in the murky waters where extreme black metal, progressive rock and the experimental avant-garde meet.

Overall this is a masterful accomplishment and although each and every DODHEIMSGARD throws me off guard upon first listen, it more than rewards upon return visits. BLACK MEDIUM CURRENT is no exception in that matter. While i still find "A Umbra Omega" to be the band's most accomplished moment, this sixth album certain is not too far behind although some tracks like "It Does Not Follow" tend to meander at times in a repetitive loop that could've been trimmed down but basically all those masterful guitar licks laced with time signature excesses and hairpin twists and turns that result in high octane industrial metal to slow downtempo fueled electronic chill out moments are still found in plentitude. In essence, DODHEIMSGARD crafts music that is the absolute pinnacle of avant-garde progressive extreme metal with the added bonus of a production job that allows every element to shine like a sparkling diamond. While it would be easy to go astray doing this tightrope act, DODHEIMSGARD has proven time and time again that it was made to bring these hi brow visions of metal utopia to light.

"Black Medium Current" is the sixth full-length studio album by Norwegian avant-garde/progressive black metal act Dødheimsgard. The album was released through Peaceville Records in April 2023. It´s the successor to "A Umbra Omega" from March 2015. Eight years also passed between the release of "Supervillain Outcast" (released in March 2007) and "A Umbra Omega", so the long time between albums isn´t unusual for Dødheimsgard. There have been a few linuep changes since the predecessor as lead vocalist/guitarist Aldrahn has left and along with him also drummer Sekaran aka Terghl. The latter has been replaced by Myrvoll, but Aldrahn has not been replaced. Instead band leader Vicotnik has taken over the vocal duties in addition to handling guitars, synthesizers, effects, and programming. Tommy "Guns" Thunberg (lead guitars) and L.E. Måløy (bass, piano, cello, theremin, effects) remain from the lineup who recorded "A Umbra Omega" along with Vicotnik.

In essence "Black Medium Current" continues the progressive/avant-garde black metal style of "A Umbra Omega", but Dødheimsgard have grown as composers and musicians since the latter mentioned release. The compositions are more fluent and natural in structure, less abstract and more atmospheric. It´s also less technical and experimental than the predecessor. In the case of "Black Medium Current" that´s not a complaint though, but instead a praise, because some of the songwriting ideas on "A Umbra Omega" didn´t always work. It often felt like Dødheimsgard wanted to do more than they were capable of or reached the limits of their songwriting abilities. "Black Medium Current" is more economic in that sense and it´s an important factor when evaluating why this is such a strong release. Dødheimsgard have found the right balance between epic atmospheres, odd avant-garde songwriting ideas, progressive song structures, and their as always strong musicianship. Vicotnik steps up with no problems delivering both strong raspy black metal vocals and various types of melancholic, sorrowfilled, and sometimes desperate sounding clean vocals (even occasionally bordering deranged). The many choirs, harmony- and backing vocals provide interesting textures to that part of the music, and it´s hard not to be impressed by how intriguing and well performed "Black Medium Current" is (both the vocals and the instrumental part of the music). The lyrics are performed in both Norwegian and English.

Stylistically it´s hard to describe exactly how Dødheimsgard sound, because they sound very much like their own. It´s difficult to reference other artists, but the progressive mindset of artists like Opeth, Ihsahn, and Enslaved aren´t all wrong (Hail Spirit Noir should also be mentioned as a possible valid reference), but still not completely true. The slight industrial influence which Dødheimsgard have previously flirted with is minimal on "Black Medium Current", although a track like "Interstellar Nexus" still features a touch of it. "Black Medium Current" is the type of album which needs to be listened to, to truly be able to understand how it sounds. The many different influences and musical elements combined offers the listener a unique listening experience, which just isn´t easily described.

It´s a long album featuring no less than 9 tracks and a total playing time of 69:36 minutes, but not a second of that playing time is wasted on anything non-essential. The album is loaded with epic melancholic atmospheres, interesting changes in texture and dynamics within- and between tracks, and a generally otherworldly/alien approach to writing music. The way the futuristic synths sometimes come in and change the tracks, or surprising moments like the absolutely brilliant closing minutes to album opener "Et Smelter" or the epic melodic choir middle section of "Tankespinnerens Smerte" prove not only the brilliance of Dødheimsgard, but also bring great emotional impact. Atmospheric album closer "Requiem Aeternum" is definitely an example of the latter too.

"Black Medium Current" features a clear, detailed, and powerful sounding production. It´s not a raw black metal oriented sound production, and the most harsh black metal parts of the music sound relatively civil and even a bit polished (not sterile though), but that type of sound production perfectly fits the material on this release. Upon conclusion "Black Medium Current" is a high quality release from Dødheimsgard, proving once again that they are one of the most interesting and unique progressive/avant-garde black metal acts out there. A 4.5 star (90%) rating is deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives).