Liktjern - Kulde, Pest & Død (2011)

Hailing from Norway, today we have another Black Metal band popping out of the woods. Liktjern has been around since 1996 but due to tons of line-up changes and everything you can imagine, the band has never released any music until “Kulde, Pest & Død”, a very raw and ‘traditional sounding’ Black Metal MCD.

As we are reviewing this album during a winter storm, we can surely state that this kind of Black Metal is just right for these moments. All 4 songs are raw and basic, a simplistic but rather traditional approach to the genre, but then again who said Black Metal is supposed to be pretty.

After a cliché gun shot sample, the opening track “Kirkebrann” kicks of with raw vocals, crushing guitars and simple drums. We never said the band was highly original, but this song (and the rest of the album) has a very natural way of getting under your skin and be enjoyed. The atmospheric elements at the end of the song are nicely done and change the pace a bit, keeping things interesting.

“Morkets Herre” opens up with devilish guitar work and quickly builds momentum. While the music is in general good, the very simple and weirdly mixed drums will get on your nerves a bit. We are not expert drummers, but we can surely play these beats with one hand and half-drunk.

The longest track in this MCD comes with the name of “Mannen Med Ljеen”. Changing their approach, Liktjern starts building up some momentum with the cliché crow songs and explodes full on with energetic riffs and ragging vocals. Closing off the album we have “Morkefall” a more chaotic song that sounds a bit weird due to the weird tempo changes, but is a nice change compared to the first 3 songs.

Overall, we have to say that “Kulde, Pest & Død” is not a bad release at all. The band’s sound is very raw and simplistic, but very effective. The drumming is dreadful for the most part, but you can change your EQ settings to drown it off and enjoy the rest of the music. Hopefully the band comes up with more concise ideas and better drumming for their next releases.

Release: 2010

Country: Norway