EP REVIEW: Pakt – Taake/Whoredom Rife

WHOREDOM RIFE and TAAKE are, without exception, perhaps two of the most imaginative black metal acts to come out of Norway. Over the course of their careers both bands have not only perfected the black metal sound but also produced music that stands head and shoulders above many of their peers. Naturally, a union between the two acts, in the form of the Pakt split, is perhaps one of the early candidates for black metal record of the year, and showcases two of the best bands in the genre doing what they do best.

TAAKE‘s portion of Pakt begins with Ubeseiret, a lively piece of black and roll, complete with sharp, jarring leads that immediately grab the listeners attention. The imaginative guitars, thundering bass hooks and powerful drumming are complemented by Hoest‘s bellicose vocal deliveries, which add a sharp, caustic edge. This song possesses the sort of energised riffs that were prevalent on Kong Vinter, with a few well placed acoustic flourishes towards the songs closing moments adding even more depth to the sound. Next up comes Heartland, a brilliant cover of one of THE SISTERS OF MERCY‘s more underrated tracks. Heartland carries a fantastic, dirty sound, with a sludgy bass riding high in the mix and a powerful vocal performance which contrasts sharply with the polished blend of Goth and electronica of the original.

WHOREDOM RIFE‘s half of Pakt kicks off with From Nameless Pagan Graves, which, with its razor sharp tone and chaotic sound, is one of their more feral and monstrous tracks to date. The guitars carve through the mix, with tight drumming and rabid, emotive vocals giving this song a monolithic yet cacophonous feel. Loaded with bleak melodies and huge rhythms, this is a fine example of what makes WHOREDOM RIFE so great; taking a classic Norwegian black metal sound and injecting it with an expansive, epic edge. Meanwhile, En lenke smidd i blod has a very old school black metal sound, with a murkier production value and darker, more primal riffs than on the previous track. The guitars still have that grand side to them, and provide a lot of great moments on here. There is a more measured tempo to it, which gives En lenke smidd i blod a vast, doom-laden sound right off the bat. The drums set a steady metre in the background, and soaring, minimalist vocal passages creating a very open, cavernous feel that allows for the more bombastic elements in the band’s core sound to creep into the mix, incorporating some crisp acoustic guitars in its final moments. It’s a great, slow burning effort that brings Pakt to a close on an incredibly high note.

Despite being incredibly brief, this record is fantastic from start to finish. TAAKE‘s contributions to Pakt sound darkly catchy and have a great, dirty sound that only adds to its charm, while WHOREDOM RIFE‘s additions stand as some of their most impressive and memorable output to date. Both bands, with their contrasting approaches to performing black metal, are able to craft a varied and imaginative record together, and it results in a record that, in spite of being a split, stands as one of the best black metal records of the year so far.

Rating: 9/10

Pakt is out now via Terratur Possessions. 

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