HELHEIM - WoduridaR CD

It’s no surprise that the further Helheim go down their own road and the longer they live with their own way of thinking, the more peculiar and abstract some of their music may become. Once again, WoduridaR has its lonely uniqueness counting in its favour, yet I’m less likely to choose to return to these desolate realms, not because the band fail to imbue them with personality and atmosphere, just because it alienates me and refuses to allow much familiarity. A certain claustrophobia chokes the blackened sections, while that wide open feeling of the cleaner and more melodic moments is akin to finding yourself suddenly in a desert, not as free as you’d thought. There’s no denying that Helheim have turned in 52 minutes of inventive and interesting music, however, and I can’t help but respect their willful individuality in that regard.