apanthropy

Aedelgard
Natteglimt
Independent/Regolith Records
Released: September 17th, 2024

Rating: 8.5/10

“‘Natteglimt’ represents the old ways of early black metal, both in tonality and composing. Its tonal core is heavy with melody, but it doesn’t become saccharine, it forms and resolves with direction and purpose, circular and cyclical at times, but always propelling the composition forward into cold audio darkness. Riffs form and resolve, joining to one another in extended phrases that radiate a black dismal pall of ancient black metal, like very early Satyricon or Taake. The variation of tone and the broad palette of sounds employed is what powers the brilliant atmosphere, not something creatively easy like draping a guitar signal in excessive reverb or simplistic synthesizer drones.“

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1 – I
2 – II (Eternal Moon)
3 – IV
4 – Through the Black Spirits
5 – V
6 – Alt Eller Døden
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Multi-instrumentalists always have the benefit of possessing true purity of thought and creativity when it comes to composing. With larger line-ups, there is often creative compromise or minority/majority decisions, which, of course, will impact writing and execution. One is not necessarily greater than the other, but in terms of creativity, the multi-instrumentalist has a true void that can be filled with literally any sound or noise he chooses to wield, without dilution and without compromise.

The concentration of solo artists and composers in black metal, dating back to its formative years, is greater than most genres. There is no definitive reason, perhaps the barriers to entry for writing this particular style of music is less compositionally demanding or it possesses a freedom that allows it to stray from its tonal core without losing the philosophical concept. Aedelgard is a two-man black metal project that spans across the globe, comprised of Russian multi-instrumentalist and composer Vitharr in conjunction with American vocalist and lyricist Hræfn. The duo’s first formal release is Natteglimt, an EP released initially in 2024 as an independent digital format as well as a tape pressing through Russian label Regolith Records. In 2025, there were additional CD pressings of the EP, clearly showing the band’s creative output is worth some degree of attention within the underground.

Natteglimt represents the old ways of early black metal, both in tonality and composing. Its tonal core is heavy with melody, but it doesn’t become saccharine, it forms and resolves with direction and purpose, circular and cyclical at times, but always propelling the composition forward into cold audio darkness. Riffs form and resolve, joining to one another in extended phrases that radiate a black dismal pall of ancient black metal, like very early Satyricon or Taake. The variation of tone and the broad palette of sounds employed is what powers the brilliant atmosphere, not something creatively easy like draping a guitar signal in excessive reverb or simplistic synthesizer drones.

The opening track, simply entitled ‘I,’ opens with a windswept ascending melody that serves as the central motif, in which most of its other phrases originate or adhere to. Minor chord tremolo sequences counteract and bring a triumphant, yet dismal, sensation. A bridge of clean guitars and spoken word feed into an excellent lead melody that resolves back into the central motif. Churning double-bass and simpler, less aggressive, rhythm patterns ebb and flow based around the intensity of the riffs.

‘II (Eternal Moon)’ is where an expansion in atmosphere and musicality is introduced thanks to an assertive church organ, which builds up around clean guitars and somber bass. Dismal and depressive chord voicings mix with subtle keyboards, at times creating two melodies in tandem with one another.

Tracks such as ‘V’ employ something more akin to the mid-tempo melody-heavy composing of early Dimmu Borgir, from the For all tid or Stormblåst eras, perhaps with some traces of Hordanes Land-era Enslaved or very early Satyricon in the way it flows during more aggressive phrases. ‘Alt Eller Døden’ closes the EP, serving as an extensive atmospheric instrumental piece, matching choir tones with church organ, the bass guitar adds a funereal touch, and percussion is kept to a ritualistic, simplistic presence. The crafting, flow, and composing on the church organ is excellent. This is not a matter of technical brilliance, but pure melodic phrasing, it is engaging and surreal, it is a culmination of what the EP represents from a creative standpoint. The lack of vocals creates a cold, solitary sensation, as if one is simply left alone with their thoughts in the wild on a winter’s night.

The production on Natteglimt is clean and detailed, mixed very well, and features a surprisingly sharp low-end presence. This isn’t a ‘raw’ release, it doesn’t attempt to convey itself that way, it is a truly cold and atmospheric sound overall, utilizing modern tonal palettes without using a great deal of effects. Percussion is frontal and dominant, distorted guitar riffs shine and cleaner guitar tones have a crystalline touch to them. Synth and keyboard presence weaves itself in and out of the mix, at times accenting and at other times leading fully. The vocal efforts of Hræfn are blended almost perfectly with the overall volume of the music. There is actual bass guitar presence, both in volume and composition, something that, when done well, is always a welcome feat in black metal.

Natteglimt is a solid first effort that delivers what it promises from an aesthetic standpoint. Cold, atmospheric, cryptic black metal that pays homage to the old gods but forges ahead with its own enigmatic identity and presence. Debut efforts possess the purest ideas a band can create and the composing and execution presented on Natteglimt signals that accordingly. It sticks to convention but doesn’t adopt it fully, branching out to atmospheric and, sometimes, purely instrumental music that shines like the moon’s reflection on fresh snow. Aedelgard represents why it’s important to look deep into the extreme underground, as talent is not always equivalent to exposure. Fans of atmospheric, cold, black metal with heavy keyboard elements and engaging melodic drive should turn their attention towards this.

Label: Regolith Records
Band: Aedelgard

AJK