Om jordens blod och urgravens grepp

Häxkapell

The sting of black licorice with sweet undertones.
January 25, 2025

From Bandcamp, “From the remote reaches of Haparanda, Sweden, HAXKEPELL presents a black metal masterpiece that resonates with the eternal rhythms of nature and the cyclical dance of life and death. “Om jordens blod och urgravens grepp” (‘Of earth’s blood and the grave’s grasp’) is a powerful blend of black metal, folk, and atmospheric darkness, interwoven with classical and progressive influences. Traditional instruments such as the violin, viola, willow flute, and hand drum infuse the music with ancient, primal energy. The lyrics, crafted through subconscious writing, serve as a conduit to the mystical and otherworldly.”

The album has six songs, and “Satans rötter” is first, and hums in the beginning remind me of the dwarves in their mountain homes in LOTR. A study and heavy riff follows, with some guitar harmonies and meaty bass notes. The vocals are horrid and angry, and other instruments are added to the stew. “Metamorfos” roars out of the gate with an aggressive plate of guitars, harrowing vocals, and galloping drums. Many Black Metal bands create music that is devoid of melody in the traditional sense, but they add just enough to keep its presence noticeable. Indeed, they bring an expansive and somber touch to the music.

“Urgravens grepp är hårt och kallt” has a steadier groove that is augmented with stringed instruments that carry a fleeting melody at just the right time. The structure of the song remains aggressive though. “Hem” is a shorter, four-minute offering that hears the aggression replaced with mood, and atmosphere, from acoustic guitar and gentle vocals. It’s like the short lull within a raging storm. The darkness tells you more is coming, but the reprieve is appreciated. “Vindar från förr” has more somber tones in the vocals and strings further the feeling. The lengthy “Den sanna modern talar” closes the album, and it combines many of the elements you heard earlier into a soup that is seasoned very well…harsh vocals, strings, powerful riffs, galloping drums, and a sense of the grandiose.

This album was very well composed and put together. At its core, it is Black Metal, but the trio brings so many more elements to the table to provide the listener with a more complete experience. They are not afraid to throw conventional methods to the wind and engage in instruments and rounded compositions that you don’t often hear in the genre, and for that, I say bravo.

 

8 / 10

Excellent

Songwriting

8

Musicianship

8

Memorability

8

Production

8
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"Om jordens blod och urgravens grepp" Track-listing:

1. Satans rötter

2. Metamorfos

3. Urgravens grepp är hårt och kallt

4. Hem

5. Vindar från förr

6. Den sanna modern talar

 

Häxkapell Lineup:

Oraklet – Vocals, Strings, Flute, Handdrum

JM – Drums

IPU – Violin, Vocals

 

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