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Last year Arckanum released þþþþþþþþþþþ, an album that was a superlative example of black metal. This year Shamaatae, the sole member, has signed a deal with Regain Records and has a new album out; Sviga Læ.
I'll admit the only album I have heard by Arckanum is þþþþþþþþþþþ, but I was blown away by it as it was undoubtedly one of the best black metal albums of 2009. Sviga Læ is rather a different specimen. Shamaatae has said that he does not want to create the same album over and over again and what this means is that you must not expect part two of þþþþþþþþþþþ.
The production of Sviga Læ is not as clear as the previous album. However, it is still clear enough for the casual listener to not dismiss this as under-produced black metal. The last song Røk has, for some reason, a much clearer production than the rest of the album. No idea why this is but it does make the song seem a little out of place.
The eight songs on this album all vary in pace and tone, showing the diversity of Shamaatae as a songwriter. Undoubtedly my favorite is the instrumental In Følva Felr which launches into a repetitive driving riff about halfway through that just grabbed me and refused to let me go until my neck was threatening to snap! In Shamaatae's own words he his own style is "dirty & thrashing" and this shows through on Sviga Læ, an album crammed full of extremely thrashy riffs.
This is an album that all Arckanum fans should enjoy as it is a continuation of Shamaatae's sound but approached from a slightly different angle to the previous album. Granted, its not quite up to the same high standard as þþþþþþþþþþþ, but its still a great listen that all black metal fans should appreciate. The main criticism is the odd production leap on the final track which is about the only thing that makes an otherwise dull acoustic track stand out. That aside I thoroughly enjoyed this one and look forward to hearing where Shamaatae takes us next on his dark musical journey.
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