ALBUM REVIEW: Varskrik – Utbyrd

Norwegian symphonic black metallers UTBYRD have finally released their debut album Varskrik. Production started in 2014 and was finally finished in 2017, but the album never saw a physical release. Considering that it was a sprawling, epic concept with symphonic/orchestral parts composed and performed by Clemens Wijers of CARACH ANGREN, Dutch label Petrichor have decided to give Varskrik a physical release, but does it live up to the hype?

From its opening moments, Varskrik seems a conflicted beast. Karsten Og Draugen, the album’s introduction and lengthiest track (coming in at 12 minutes) begins well, with a strong riff which leads into some fairly standard symphonic black metal. Horns brighten the edges of weighty riffs, keys and strings lend atmosphere and there is strong drum work throughout. However, the constant flitting from idea to idea does not help the track so much as hinder it, over-egging the pudding to the point where it becomes a difficult to follow, confusing mire. There are some incredible snapshots of ideas on display here, but cramming the ideas for at least three separate songs into one, including enormous vocal lines and a fully orchestral interlude, does not necessarily equate to grandiose spectacle.

Following this comes possibly the albums strongest moment. Second track Dauing shows the band fully flexing their black metal chops, with driving speed, crunching riffs and howling atmosphere, the stripped back approach towards the symphonic element works wonders for the track, giving it a similar feel to the oceanic majesty of some of fellow Norwegians EMPEROR’s finest moments. Successor track Sjøormen even manages to continue in this vein for the most part despite the intriguing inclusion of a recurring flute part.

Fourth track Dieldegasten is another mid-album highlight, providing some thunderous, pummelling drive to the album, but it also marks the end of this cohesive trend. Blikkstille Vann serves as the point where the multifaceted grandeur of the first track makes a thorough resurgence and serves to draw attention to the production, which manages to lose a lot of the finer edges of the melodic supports in favour of the metallic parts. This could not necessarily be seen as a problem, but it often leaves the moments that should have been oozing with dramatic splendour feeling a little flat and uninspired, as the symphonic fluff overhead is forced to the background with sheer brute force.

Utbyrd is a further example of production allowing things to slip past the listener. Notably it features soaring and epic choral parts and a creepily atmospheric organ outro, but throughout the bulk of the track too much detail is lost for it to be memorable. Skogen is in an unfortunately similar state, leaving it to become nothing short of tedious by its close.

Ultimately, Varskrik feels like something of a let-down. At its core is a constructed and considered symphonic black metal album. It is ambitious and at times grandiose, but it is not without issue. It is marred by production which lacks focus on the symphonic parts. They are clearly intended to add dramatic flair to the blackened framework but are buried by tremolo and blastbeats, often leaving the music feeling barren. However, UTBYRD are clearly technically proficient, as can be seen at numerous points throughout Varskrik‘s runtime and wonderfully exemplified in the absolute rager that is Dauing. While Varskrik may be hampered by substandard production, if UTBYRD can address this issue for their next offering they could well find themselves becoming a seriously heavy hitter in the symphonic black metal world.

Rating: 6/10

Varskrik is out now via Petrichor. 

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