EP REVIEW: Frost – Besvärjelsen

Frost, the new EP from stoner/doom purveyors BESVÄRJELSEN, was recorded in a secluded cabin, deep in the forests of Dalarna county Sweden, during the grip of a bitter Scandanavian winter. It’s five tracks showcase a much wider scope in sound compared to their previous releases and features more richer melodic sections, lending the EP a somewhat more progressive vibe. This is all enriched by subtle hooks, overlapping melodies and emotive guitar leads.

Opener When We Fall blusters in on a traditional doom riff augmented by driving drum fills, soon adorned by the ethereal, hypnotic vocals of Lea Amling Alazam. The track opens further with expansive stoner riffs, reminiscent of MASTODON at their most progressive, but breathing space is also allowed for quieter, haunting interludes to evolve, drawing the listener ever further into this wintery world. All Things Break begins with a gorgeous, 70s folk rock inspired arpeggio before blooming to life, showcasing once again the rich vocals of Alazam, whose voice here is reminiscent of a folkier Patti Smith or Stevie Nicks at her most mystical (think FLEETWOOD MAC’s Gypsy). The twin guitar leads that break out after the halfway mark are something to behold too; soaring, melodic and uplifting, they lend the track a distinctly epic feel. 

In The Dark is propelled along by resounding bass and shuffling drums as another subtle melody weaves its way in. Here, the double tracked vocals, infused with reverb, lend the track a sense of desolation, bringing to mind the darkened, snow-covered forests in which these songs were recorded. The chiming lead guitars soar again too, sounding almost otherworldly. Similarly, Human Habits is filled with haunting, intertwined melodies that soon become lodged in the brain – “You’re still here, though I’m six feet under,” croons Alazam. All these elements are carried along by pulsating bass and a disarmingly loose groove courtesy of drummer Erik Bäckwall, creating some of the EP’s most memorable passages. The heaviest track here is the blistering Past In Haze which closes the album and finds the band in more psychedelic territory, as the verse melodies gently cascade like wistful flakes of snow. The riffs soon intensify however and are accompanied by some tasty solos that bring to mind both BLACK SABBATH and ELDER at their peak.

For a five track EP, Frost sure packs one hell of a punch. Indeed, it’s a testament to the songwriting prowess of BESVÄRJELSEN and the riches on offer here that Frost has more of an album feel than that of an EP. So whilst this may seem a minor release in the band’s discography, it’s an important one, showcasing a distinct maturity and progression in their songwriting that serves to propel the band ever further.

Rating: 7/10

Frost is out now via Blues Funeral Recordings.

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