People usually ask what's behind Old School Metal genres, this need to be in a musical form near the features of the beginning of a specific Metal genre. One of the answers is the most simple of all: the regard for the classic formats. Today, Black Metal acts usually use things into a modern form, far from what was heard back in the 80's (in the hands of BATHORY, HELLHAMMER and VENOM) and in the 90's (what MAYHEM, DARKTHRONE, ROTTING CHRIST, BURZUM and others created), and one fine example can be SATYRICON (the band today sounds far from what was done on "Dark Medieval Times" and "The Shadowthrone" days), and it can be a deception for many fans. And for those who miss the old days, the work of the Swedish one man band HILNING on "Råtijinn" is what they're looking for.

It's simple to describe the band's musical work: the old and good classic Black Metal model given to the world by the bands of the Second Wave of Black Metal in the early years of the 90's, a form of music that's funereal, aggressive and crude to the bones, with sad subjective melodic arrangements that temper the grim approach of the band. It's technically simple, with the usual speed of the past, and focuses on harsh and dirty ambiences (in a form that has the Swedish Black Metal DNA). It's really a very good release, even not bringing something really new at all. The production created a sonority that is deeply rooted on the foundations of the Second Wave of Black Metal, but as not as aesthetically 'ugly' as some releases of those days. It's raw and grim, but in a way that can be understood by the fans.

As mentioned above, these nine songs bring back the feelings of the past, but without being moldy, and the classic features are all on each moment. And for a first time on this release, one can check "Ôva Dommbqiłdân Dał" (fast and morbid, it bears that grasping hooks of Black Metal, based especially on very good guitar riffs), "Runola" (that morbid and hooking aggressive feeling of the past is presented here in the middle of the rhythmic contrasts, and very good agonizing screams can be heard), "Ukko" (where the melodic influences becomes clearer due the wise use of keyboards arrangements), "Blodstein / Lux Regni Chao" (a faster song, filled with a very good work of bass guitar and drums due the rhythmic support that guarantees that it's not a 'one breath song'), "Finnmarkens Sista Rebell" (what great and classic Black Metal outfit, with that melancholic and sad melodic arrangements that hooks the attention), and "Rahnsvá" are the right ones.

Once more: HILNING isn't offering something new at all on "Råtijinn", but it's personal and good, and keeps alive the old flame of Black Metal. Listen to it!