Gaahl's Wyrd

Kristian Eivind Espedal, otherwise knows as Ghaahl has been a polarizing fixture on the Norwegian Black Metal scene since the mid 90s, fronting bands such as Gorgoroth and God Seed. In the nine years fronting Gorgoroth, Gaahl helped to create some the most vicious and brutal darkness in the genre without ever really straying from the true Norwegian style.

But Gaahl’s Wyrd feels like an altogether different animal. There’s more of a mythological, roots-based vibe more steeped in the Norse tradition. This is especially evident in Gaahl’s vocal work on this album - opting for a cleaner, more operatic style. More Attila Csihar and Tom Warrior than the guttural cries we’re used to.

This isn’t to say that the music has lost any of its power because it draws the listener into a more visual realm rather than the standard haze of blast beats.

8.0 / 10 — Kevin Fitzpatrick