VANANIDR is a Melodic Black/Death Metal band hailing from Sweden. Formed in 2016, this new album is their fifth full-length, and it has nine songs. “Forest of grief” is first. Besides the harrowing qualities, it had an old school FWOBM feeling to it, although some MeloDeath elements are also present. Some crescendos in sound are also used, which creates an interesting path forward, but it seems to be all about the aggressive rawness of the genre. “In silence descend” features a more straightforward riff out of the gate, still with a thick Black Metal sound, and much of the power comes from that riff. “The black crow and the white swan” seems to come from the depths of the earth, with a sound that is ominous and foreshadowing. The sound drops for a bit close to the half-way point, and becomes more somber, before returning again.

“Tearing skin” comes out of the gate like a creeping mist across the floor that slowly takes the form of a disfigured creature. It seems to come from all around you, and no matter what direction you turn, it is still there. “Revel in tragedy” is thick and aggressive, and also on the somber side. In fact, it is more somber than aggressive, and you can really feel the heavy emotional burden of the sound. It sounds like desperation to me. “Superior to none” begins with another slow pace, but this time the sound is ominous and powerful. The big drum and riff strikes are augmented with horrid vocals. Although the sound is thick, it is also loose in the way that it breathes. “Far beyond” begins with clean guitars that transition to an aggressive soundtrack very quickly. At this point, it’s clear that the band can balance the thickness of Black Metal with depressive qualities quite well.

“Burden” closes the album, and makes you feel like you are stuck in a perpetual loop of hopelessness. It carries all of your burdens on its back, until they become too heavy to bear any longer, and the song fades away. Overall, the best part of the album is how the sound gutted you as much as its aggressiveness excited you. What began as a familiar sound took a turn down a darkly lit path and into the trees beyond, and you might not want to see what was discovered there.