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A Google Images search query that once led here: “kickin nazi ass.” I now have the perfect image for that. The cover of Vreid’s Milorg (Indie, 2009) depicts an Iron Cross-clad soldier about to get beat down. The album details the Norwegian resistance movement, called Milorg, against the German occupation in World War II. It is a black metal counterpart to Hail of Bullets’ …Of Frost and War, which is about the German-Soviet conflict in WWII. Accompanying the lyrics are historical photos and essays. The latter are brief but informative. One learns about Norwegian women who had affairs with German soldiers, and the fight against Norwegians who turned to the German side. As Black (Not Metal) Francis once yelped, “It’s educational!”
DisciplinedHeroes and Villains
Vreid are often called “black ‘n’ roll.” What they really do is inject the requisite blastbeats and tremolo picking with the backbone of heavy metal. In other words, they play actual riffs. Sometimes they add majestic melodies that evoke their former tenure as Windir. In the past five years, Vreid have honed this three-pronged attack — low-end riffing, midrange buzzing, high-end melodies — into an underappreciated, idiosyncratic whole. Milorg finds the band stretching out with complex songs, yet flexing with hooky riffs. I once saw Vreid play in Berlin. It was a fist-pumping, foot-on-the-monitor affair. No corpsepaint, no affected misanthropy — just riffs, more riffs, and kickin nazi ass.
This record is, without a doubt, one of my favorites of this year so far, and it's one of those "favorites of the year" that I can actually see myself listening to a few years down the road. A definite improvement over "I Krig", which was a damned fine record, too. Good to see this reviewed here. Hopefully more people will hear it as a result.
Norwegian Blackened War Metal! I've heard Vreid before but this is a complete departure from what they usually do. I would love to see them tour with Hail of Bullets.
Speaking of the cover does it recall Heims – Worship Or Die at all.
Robert – I was just listening to I Krig the other day. "Jarnbyrd" must be one of the greatest cowbell songs ever.
bacon – Maybe you're thinking of someone else? Vreid have had war themes going for a while now. But, yes, they are great live.
Anon – Other than having reddish album covers, a black metal core, and heavy riffs, Hiems and Vreid don't sound alike. They are both excellent bands, however.
really great CD
This is album rocks. And these cats are great live. Saw them at Inferno 2009 and it was incredible!