Review: MYR “Helvegen”

The path to Hel is an open one. It requires very little guidance, as its way is paved through the heart of every man; torchlit and inviting as a warm, dry and hearthlit abode; providing sanctuary from Winter’s icy gale. To traverse this inter-worldly pathway is to navigate the avenue of sin – the road to blasphemy – a serpentine clearing that cuts its way through the will of innocence. Every Man’s calling, for to stray from it is a different kind of sin; a sin against human nature.

The Norwegian Black Metal realm has always operated as a conveyor along the path – the path of passion, of rage, of wisdom and of forbidden knowledge. Its frigid sounds have reflected the diabolical nature of every man and his capacity for evil through the works of bands such as Gorgoroth, Taake and Svarttjern. Now, can you smell the decay? The humid stench of humanity’s bog like putrefaction or raw sewage. There can be no hiding from it, because Norway’s Myr has arrived; offering benefactions of the infernal kind. Will you accept this gift? On June 20, Myr will release Helvegen independently.

Forget about “Transylvanian Hunger” and “Dark Medieval Times”… Helvegen is an offering of the epic variety. Epic yet warm, yet familiar as Father’s cologne. Every deep melodic passage carries you effortlessly through the experience. Double-bass currents and tremolo progressions as soft as silk in tracks like “December Coma”. An icy symphonic intro soon transitions into gentle clean guitar parts and then into Taake-like, earthy melodies. Right away, you reach the understanding of the fact that you are in for a blessed Black Metal imbibing. The following cut, “In Perpetum”, continues down the same compositional road, only compounded by a most sinister, child’s vocals-infused chorus. The stuff of nightmares…

A debut? Hardly sounds like one. Helvegen sounds as if it was created by a band who’ve been at it for decades. Cohesiveness and class standing paramount here. Most bands attempt to pack in every great creative idea into their debut, which always results in a convoluted mess of a record. Most certainly not the case here. This is wisely-crafted material that speaks of Svartan and TZommer’s extensive experience with the Great Craft. Truly Norwegian in every sense of the term. It’s rather difficult to explain, but once you hear it, you hear it. The resolute summation of everything that constitutes the true Norwegian experience. And yep, that’s a saxophone. “Røkkr” – an otherwise traditional Black Metal track outside of the use of this unconventional instrument. Definitely not a negative thing. The sax enriches an already substantial album cut and provides a soulful sense of enthrallment.

To the gate! The threshold of Hel finally reached with the culminating “Kaldr”. Soft acoustics velvetly unfold with the insulated sound of thunder dropping its back. Black & Roll vibes all day that herald the legendary Satyricon, a divine harmonious vocals contribution and just the epic of it all make for a perfect closing track to what’s been a cozy yet sinister taking in. An almost perfect record. So, the time has come to finally enter into the Diabolical Kingdom. Is your soul prepared? Helvegen – a magisterial accomplishment for the genre and a foreshadowing of amazing things to come out of Myr. Salutes!

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