Black Metal left a mark on Metal scene due the polemics that happened during the early days of the 90's in Norway. But no one can deny that those days saw the rise of a new generation that set the foundations that made possible to Black Metal to spread its wings and conquer the world. Obviously that time made things evolve, but there are many bands that are into the vein of names as MAYHEM, DARKTHRONE, ROTTING CHRIST, DISSECTION, MARDUK and others on their early years. And the Norwegian LIKHEIM is one of them, as their first release, the EP "Alt Skal Svinne Hen" states.

As one can check, the band's musical work is really old fashioned (pay attention that the vocals are using a form of guttural snarls, not the usual shrieked tunes), without using abusive technical appeal, just focusing on creating somber and morbid ambiences and contrasts. But it doesn't mean that it's not good, it's the opposite: due this approach, the music gains life, and a personal appeal comes from its songs. It's darkened and crude, but it's the last temptation for a Black Metal fans.

Well, the sound quality of the EP is what one can expect from an Old School Black Metal band: crude and rough, the right one to put in evidence the oppressive and morbid ambiences of the songs. But it doesn't mean that things aren't defined, because one can understand what's being played. And Gretn (the only member of the band) brought some guests: Gamle Erik (of CARPATHIAN FOREST) to play bass, synths and samples, and some guitars played by Umarlak (of ERADICATION).

"Alt Skal Svinne Hen..." is a fast and natural born Norwegian Black Metal song in the Old School ways, with a morbid ambience created by very good and simple guitars. "Smerte" bring those slow paced rhythms contrasting with fast parts, but with a brutal playing on bass guitar and drums. An introspective and melancholic intro comes before a brutal storm called "Takens Kall", with nasty vocals (and some clean Gregorian tunes can be heard in many moments). And "Stormen" puts their classical Black Metal essence in evident, with cold and cutting-edge guitar riffs.

Yes, "Alt Skal Svinne Hen" can be said as a fine first coming of LIKHEIM. But the band has more to offer, because its musical potential wasn't explored completely with only four songs.