SVARTELDER are a Black Metal band from Norway who have officially been around since 2005, but started releasing albums in 2015. "Pits", their second LP, is coming out three years after their full-length debut "Pyres". A quick glance at who the band members are reveals that these are no rookies. Vocalist Doedsadmiral is also a member of a pretty notable Black Metal band NORDJEVEL, others have been members of well-known bands like 1349, SARKOM, URGEHAL, or NIDINGR. These guys don't waste their talent on being a shitty DARKTHRONE clone - the kind of Black Metal band that people make fun of. Their music is really intricate and refined and I feel that many a band that plays more "technical" genres than is typical for Black Metal could envy them this level of sophistication.

In terms of style they use synths profusely and the song usually have melancholic sections with the kind of Gothic, witchy atmosphere of bands like ANCIENT or LIMBONIC ART. But the music is also pretty "riffy", SVARTELDER are by no means a Symphonic Black Metal with cheesy synth melodies that sound like Halloween music. The riffing style is reminiscent of EMPEROR: the riffs often have both a strong rhythmic and melodic component, besides the typical thin, icy tremolos there are parts with fast, technical Thrash-y riffage. I said that the keys are prominent, but their use is always restricted and tasteful. There can be some melodic flourishes, but they are there to heighten the intensity and emotional impact of the songs, they are not driving the songs per se. The synths and guitars play each other off, the songs have nice lead melodies and we even get a harmonized solo (!) in "Part 4".

"Pits" has seven songs that are not titled, all are four to five minutes long, and the album's total run-time is 35 minutes - pretty snappy. The album is a grower: all songs have something that needs to be discovered gradually. "Part I" shifts between brooding melancholic sections with tortured vocals and harsher sections with more aggressive vocals and distorted guitars; the song moves slowly towards an explosive climax with fast-picked riffing and blastbeats. "Part II" has the kind of EMPEROR-style riff that combines chugging and a melodic chord progression. This song is less melancholic then the first one, there are some nice Thrash-y riffing. The climax of the song, that comes right after a mellow bridge that features intricate drumming, has thin tremolo riffs and synths playing each other off. All the songs give the listener a sense of progression - "Part 6" has probably the most emotional, cathartic finale here. The song as a whole with its driving minimalist synths and head bopping rhythm stands out to me.

This is a Black Metal record through and through, and one might feel initially that it's too monotonous. But the quality is there and it pays off to dig under the surface and discover all the intricacies and details of the music. Not the most accessible kind of Metal, but that doesn't mean it's not great.