Album Review: Heltekvad – Morgenrødens Helvedesherre (Eisenwald)

Formed in 2020, Heltekvad is a three-piece featuring members of some of Denmark’s finest recent acts such as Afsky, Solbrud, Sunken and Morild. The medieval black metal unit will release their debut album, Morgenrødens Helvedesherre on March 25th, 2022 via Eisenwald.

Medieval black metal? That sounds like fun, doesn’t it? But what does it actually mean? Well, black metal that has been dug up from the grave, had chainmail slapped on it and sent into battle against the hordes of Satan and Hell. With, and the first time you hear these you’re likely to be quite taken back, melodic interludes, intros and outros that give it a much grander sound.

In fact, as much as this is an album filled to the brim with frenzied guitars, scathing vocal screeches and blistering percussion, it is also an album of depth. An album that takes on numerous forms as it goes on. Resulting in something that, at first, seems passé but ends up proving itself to be a blazing form of modern thinking with old-school ferocity.

Chaos-infused, burning like hot oil poured from up high, twisted and dark, Heltekvad tell a story here and capture the imagination with the delivery of a such a medieval sound. With fermentations of post-rhythms and powerful melodic highs, this is an album that ends up being so much more than just your run of the mill black metal release. One that fans of the blend of blistering harshness, epic detail and attractive tones will fall in love with.

Medieval black metal makes so much more sense once you’ve heard this album and it might just end up being your new favourite genre.

Heltekvad – Morgenrødens Helvedesherre Full Track Listing:

1. Morgenrødens åbenbaring
2. Ærbødig er den so m sejrer
3. Ved sværdets klinge skal du forgå
4. Eder og hæder
5. Fornægter din æt
6. Du skæbnesvangre stund
7. Døden står ved himmelens port

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Eisenwald