Grafvitnir's Insidious Black Metal Calls Out to the "Whisperer of Strange Tales" (Early Track Stream)
Like a finely detailed mace or an ornate torture device, Grafvitnir‘s upcoming album Tunes of Sitra Ahra is a work of malevolent beauty. The Swedish band’s black metal features elaborate structures and a densely layered sound laced with ever-present melody, but it seethes with urgent malice all the same. Aggressive and labyrinthine riffs drive these songs forward and almost entirely sidestep any atmospheric elements. Frankly, ambience is not part of the equation: this is all-riffs-all-the-time black metal. Get a taste with our premiere of “Whisperer of Strange Tales” below:
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On “Whisperer of Strange Tales,” abrasive vocals and piercing drum tones ride atop a rippling cavalcade of twisted riffs, with strange melodies snaking their way through the mix. The production is a far cry from the glossy overengineering often prevalent in melodic black metal, bringing some of the rough edges from each instrument to the forefront while still delivering an intense, cohesive attack. At a crossroads between remarkable complexity and undisguised antagonism, Tunes of Sitra Ahra, true to its name, seems to emanate from somewhere unearthly.
The band comments:
This is a song about the glorious Messianic Serpent that whispers to everyone with ears to hear. A message of hope to see this world of the demiurge engulfed in the flames of purification for the birth of a new magical empire to take place.
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Tunes of Sitra Ahra releases April 29th via Carnal Records.
