KVAEN - The Formless Fires LP (Black Vinyl)

This is prime cut metal that will cut across the entire spectrum of black metal adherents, capturing the archaic building blocks first realized by Bathory all the way through the higher fidelity production practices and naturalistic elements that have typified the sub-genre of late, leaving no stone unturned despite clocking in at under 40 minutes. Despite its strong affinity with the older adherents to the style, this is an album that 3rd wave fans whom discovered the art through the likes of Wolves In The Throne Room and Agalloch could equally appreciate. It perfectly balances the underground character that comes with the style with a concise and highly accessible approach to songwriting that should offer a wide appeal to even those that are more inclined to mainline melodic death metal after the mold of early In Flames and Amon Amarth, leaving little mystery as to why this project was picked up by Metal Blade Records for this album. Prepare thyself to be whisked away to a world where Norse conquerors lay waste to all in their way, then shout praises to the old gods by the campfire with mead in hand and the wind chilling their beards, only the fires will burn without form as they pierce the endless black.