Description

Blue vinyl with gatefold cover. Limited 200 copies

Vanhelga, from Linkoping Sweden, started as a solo project by Jacob Ottosson but during the years it involved into a band. The fifth studio album, Fredagsmys, was released in 2018 and it shows that Ottosson has come a long way since he started this in 2001. Back then it was very aggressive while the later album shows an extreme form of depressive black metal where resemblance to acts like Apati and Lifelover are shown. The album features some melodic black metal that dissolve towards a slow burning defeat. By the halfway point a glossy-eyed acceptance of self-hatred and a loss of will to live become apparent. That odd euphoria often depicted in films when a protagonist is intent on suicide rests as a fake smile as the album ends. The band has returned to black metal with the tracks “Förpassad Till Misär”, “Sömnparalys” and “Varde Mörker” but none of it is life changing (or perhaps ‘new’) if you’re familiar with the more melodic side of depressive black metal. “You Are Temporary” is perhaps one of the most chilling suicide notes we’ve received from Vanhelga yet and it serves as a notable musical moment. I would most highly recommend this to long-time depressive black metal listeners who have some additional love for dark/melodic metal aspects, or anyone who felt alienated by the Lifelover styled grit of the previous handful of releases from this band.

Track list:
1. Sömnparalys
2. Psykotisk Självinsikt
3. Varde Mörker
4. Ensam Mot Alla
5. Förpassad Till Misär
6. Två Blir Ett
7. Keep The Window Closed
8. RIP (Relationship In Pieces)
9. Feels Like Breathing In Sulfur
10. You Are Temporary
11. Fredagsmys