by Eric Struth

Gjennom Nordlige Vinder is the first demo from Norwegian black metallers Til Evighet. The production value is good for a demo; the mix is solid, with clear guitars and audible vocals. If anything, the overall cleanliness is the first drawback for such a release. There is nothing raw here.

The overall tone is more akin to the current wave of shoe gaze influenced black metal. Unfortunately, by achieving such cleanliness in recording the monotony of the music really shines through. The drums are obviously electronic, albeit well programmed at times. In general the riffs are uninspired typical black metal fare. There are a few exceptions, the second track “År Tusen og Femti” and the fifth track “Den Døde Landsbyen” both offer some entertaining guitar moments.

The vocals also detract from the overall potential both in style and delivery. Stylistically the vocals are more reminiscent of death-core than black metal, and may be the single most irritating element of this release. Consisting predominately of low guttural vocals they would fit better if they were trying to be Vehemence, but not so much over the Darkthrone worship.

And that is the problem; the music is Darkthrone circa 1995 with the production of Dimmu Borgir 2011. That’s not to say there is no potential here. There is musical talent in Til Evighet, and once they find direction they could be a force to be reckoned with.

You can listen to Til Evighet online at http://myspace.com/tilevighet