From Bandcamp, “ÓÐKRAPTR is yet another creative vehicle for one Geistaz, who also numbers the esteemed likes of GEISTAZ'IKA among his endeavors. While that band tends toward a traditional expression of classic '90s black metal, ÓÐKRAPTR departs down the most unorthodox corridors of black metal - or simply erases the "black metal" altogether for something wholly haunting and incredibly unique.” The album has six songs.

“Nattens Pol” is first. The opening tones sound to me like someone exploring the outer doors to Hell. The tension is thick, and at times it just hangs in the air like a fog, cutting through here and there but mostly staying in the shadows. The vocals, however, remind you of what genre you are listening to, and the harrowing moments are strong. “Fra det Hinsides” begins with more deep tension, and these atmospheric elements are well developed. Cracks appear on the surface, and a little sonority escapes, and it is downright frightening. “Valpurgisklange” is a shorter song that plays with different textures. Some of them are mysterious, others are accessible, but all are harrowing.

“Det Onde Øje” sounds like a torture of the worst kind, because though all the various techniques of pain that you are put through, you can’t see your torture’s form or shape. There are moments of levity between moments of excruciating suffering. “Genfødt i Dimensioner Sorte” has horribly dissonant tones that sound like black souls being let out of Hell. It’s too late for them, for even know they are now free, they have been tortured and mutilated, and can never go back to what they were. “Drømme i Heksehuset” brings the album to a close. Much of the tension on the album comes pouring out here, in clouds of black, blotting out the sun. It regroups after the half-way mark and follows by brining enough death to fill the world.

What strikes me most about the album is a frigid chill that sets in early and never leaves. It’s the kind of chill that seems into your bones, and your soul, and once it hits, no amount of sun can bring you warmth. Although this is Black Metal at its core, consider the use of that phrase liberally, and expansively. It is indeed a personal take, and I applaud the composer’s commitment to offering something different.