German minimalist dark folk project Fields of Mildew explores sorrowful themes through the bleak melodic soundscapes of the latest record “The Complete Woes”.
In the dreamland of “Triad Of Incomplete Woes” it’s cold and dark as the graceful guitars fully embrace a sombre sonic vision creating magical progressions enriched by the haunting vocal delivery.
Following a stripped down rhythm “Nostalgia” is in fact a profoundly nostalgic track relying on the exquisite darkened guitar tonalities which naturally craft mesmerizing melodic crescendos destined to touch your soul.
The neo-folk influences of “A Nether World” emphasize a strong spiritual essence as the detailed guitar melodies flow like a fading dream and the comforting vocals convey genuine emotions.
“The Dawn Of Primal Fears” dwells in a limbo between perennial darkness and pale light where the peaceful vocals become your only guide through a monochromatic rhythmic maze embellished by hypnotic melodies.
While the musicians behind Fields of Mildew prefer to remain in the shadows their minimalist acoustic vision on “The Complete Woes” shines bright within a darkened desolate realm evoking an emotional whirlwind.

Founded by multi-instrumentalist Oraklet, the black metal project Häxkapell comes to life through the gelid soundscapes of the debut full-length “Eldhymner”.
On “Tomhetens lågor” the comforting cold melodic guitar work and the solemn clean vocal delivery evoke epic vibes but you can easily perceive an arcane blackened essence through the faster rhythmic segments accompanied by malignant growls.
Without any hesitation “Eldskapt” reveals a harsh rhythmic core fueled by the relentless tremolo while the slower soothing arpeggios and the exquisite violin harmonies add a magical folk flair leading to an elegant finale.
The darkened atmosphere of “Askans drottning” surrounds a mix of tasteful guitar melodies and crunchy riffs that will eventually generate belligerent dynamics enriched by the dramatic vocals and the fancy soloing.
An ominous essence lingers throughout “Häxkapellet” emphasizing the role of the somber & quite catchy melodic guitar progressions which naturally evolve into fiery traditional black metal blasts.
The final track “Sanningen” leaves behind the aggressive rhythm and seems to convey a pale sense of hopefulness through the dreamy atmospheric arrangements and the glowing arpeggios.
Deeply influenced by classic Swedish black metal Häxkapell begins an obscure journey dedicated to the element of fire leading to the ferocious dynamics and the mournful vibes of “Eldhymner”.

Swedish duo Jordfäst invites you to join an immersive sonic journey through the frostbitten blackened soundscapes and the spiritual melodic essence of the debut album “Hädanefter”.
A spellbinding melancholia lingers through “Buren av loppor” as minimalist guitar harmonies and crestfallen atmospheric arrangements seem to celebrate the barren beauty of a wintry landscape yet such contemplative ensemble will eventually evolve into a full blown blackened world where anguished growls, tremolo picking and cryptic rhythmic patterns are destined to thrive.
“Hädanförd” unfolds like a tragic tale as the icy tonalities and the monumental drums constantly express an inner torment creating a groovy yet ominous rhythmic rampage naturally enriched by a compelling series of charismatic guitar progressions while the slower moments embrace a mournful melodic flair and the solemn choirs evoke a fascinating Nordic soul.
You can always perceive a perennial darkness throughout “Hädanefter” as Jordfäst confidently blends obscure black metal dynamics and eloquent melodies drawing inspiration from Scandinavia’s historical heritage.

Swedish multi Instrumentalist Nachtzeit is renowned for his ambient black metal project Lustre which returns with the seventh album “The Ashes Of Light” to spellbind the listeners with magical wintry soundscapes. 

Listening to “Part 1 (Eyes Like Stars)” you can easily escape the woes of reality as the main harmonious atmosphere surrounds you with uplifting vibes while the tormented growls seem to emerge from a distant darkened dimension. 

“Part 2 (A Silent Tale)” certainly holds a darkened arcane spirit but also flows like an ethereal daydream due to the fragile nature of the lavish synths creating a subtle rhythmic crescendo.  

“Part 3 (Like Music In The Night)” feels like sleeping under the stars as the intricate synth arrangements seem to be fueled by a cosmic energy yet darker & mysterious feelings always linger through the comforting harmonies. 

 “Part 5 (The Ashes of Light)” embodies an immersive music journey that will take you to an ancient forest guided by the pale light of the alluring multilayered atmospheric arrangements and the hypnotic melodic tapestries. 

“The Ashes Of Light” dwells within a limbo between light and darkness in fact Lustre successfully depicts contrasting feelings through dreamy nuances and refined atmospheric waves. 

The musical universe of Forndom is deeply influenced by Swedish culture and traditions that lead to the genesis of the wintry soundscapes of the sophomore release “Faþir”. 

The cold dense atmospheric textures and the understated folk motif on “Jakten” feel quite comforting and the brooding blend of exquisite violin melodies and solemn vocals can express so many poignant emotions.  

“Yggdrasil” continues to favor a minimalist approach as the blurry atmosphere naturally embraces the evocative vocal delivery and the subtle pulsating rhythm leading to an ethereal sonic realm. 

The mood becomes increasingly darker on the instrumental track “Finnmarken” with the ancestral monolithic rhythmic patterns embellished by the pure beauty of melancholic violin melodies flourishing through the dreamy atmospheric arrangements. 

“Hel, jag vet mig väntar” marks an immersive sonic experience with the understated atmospheric layers and the arcane nature of the vocals enriched by the harmonious presence of elegant violins. 

Embarking on a spiritual journey, Forndom meticulously creates cinematic soundscapes filled with a profound Nordic melancholy that emphasize the eloquent melodic core of “Faþir”. 

Swedish autumnal folk/black metal band Grift channels immense melancholy on the third full length “Budet” which invites you to explore your mind and soul through lavish contemplative soundscapes. 

“Barn Av Ingenmansland” depicts a fascinating gloomy world where subtle atmospheric layers and traditional instruments rely on a sentimental folk approach in contrast with the harsh blackened inspiration behind the guitar work and the anguished vocals. 

“Ödets Bortbytingar” can sound quite obscure with the grim energy of the fast blackened rhythmic segments while the introspective depth is emphasized by the evocative violins that create the perfect dosage of heartwarming harmonies.  

The passionate melodic guitar work and the soothing violins on “Vita Arkiv” generate a wistful sonic realm that will inevitably move the listeners and feels quite dominant even if the desperate vocals and the increasingly darker rhythmic variations often take the center stage.  

“Oraklet i Kullabo” invokes the spirit of nature to craft a poetic melodic ensemble that amplifies the minimalist folk inspiration of the acoustic passages leading to peaceful feelings until the blackened guitar riffs bring a significant dose of raw energy. 

An exquisite sense of nostalgia lingers throughout “Budet” but you can also perceive moments of sheer despair as Grift successfully express an emotional whirlwind through the opulent atmospheric and melodic composition. 

With Blood And Sun multiinstrumentalist Luke Tromiczak has embarked on an inspiring music journey that today leads to the genesis of the sophomore full length “Love & Ashes”, a darkened neo-folk opus dedicated to kindred spirits and wanderers. 

“Resurrection Charm” marks a charismatic beginning as an arcane chant provides a darkly enigmatic introduction for the more accessible melodic ensemble offering rich melodic guitars and moody rhythmic crescendos accompanied by the theatrical vocals. 

“Dusk Century” has a softer & catchy melodic approach with graceful acoustic phrases embellished by luminous violins while the imposing baritone vocals naturally evoke darker sentiments. 

“By What Road” is a gorgeous work of music that delivers the perfect dosage of wistful feelings through the introspective vocal delivery and the exquisite intricate melodic tapestries courtesy of luminous strings and fervent acoustic guitars. 

On the title track there is a hypnotic brooding atmosphere that leads to a darker melancholic mood perfectly matched by the sorrowful vocal delivery while the enticing blend of warm violins and passionate melodic guitars maintains a spiritual folk approach. 

Listening to “Until The Dawn” feels like being in the middle of a pristine forest watching the stars and pondering about the meaning of life surrounded by haunting harmonious violins while the acoustic guitars can build an energetic yet soothing rhythmic rampage. 

It would be hard to resist the overwhelming nostalgia that Blood And Sun constantly evoke throughout “Love & Ashes” which is destined to captivate and comfort you with the magical beauty of the dark folk soundscapes. 

Swedish avant-garde progressive dark metal act Bergraven never refrains from exploring contrasting themes and diverse music territories in fact such visionary approach naturally leads to the enigmatic soundscapes of the latest album “Det Framlidna Minnet”.

On “Allt” the primal blackened momentum inevitably channels desperate and chaotic feelings following fast drumming and diabolical growls but the mood drastically changes when guitars acquire jazz inspired tonalities leading to edgy rhythmic variations and softer tonalities.  

The melodic splendor of “Den Följsamma Plågan” comes from the melancholic arpeggios that certainly generate a peaceful mood accompanied by fragile atmospheric accents yet this track holds a dark soul clearly fueled by traditional black metal as guitar riffs can acquire ominous tonalities matched by the enraged growls.

It’s not surprising to hear that melancholy and bleakness are essential elements on “Minnets Melankoli” which features an intense contemplative nature expressed by cathartic acoustic passages in contrast with the raw energy of the blackened dynamics.

“Till Priset Av Vårt Liv” is an ambitious track that offers a plethora of sonic variations starting with unusual rhythmic segments characterized by borderline dissonant guitar riffs and sophisticated jazz inspired progressions while the dreamy melodic essence emphasizes an inner desolation with loads of darkened guitar tonalities accompanied by anguished screams.

As Bergraven constantly maintain an experimental approach “Det Framlidna Minnet” always showcases great style diversity borrowing the undiluted fury of black metal or simply creating unexpected melodic tapestries.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1Uohw8kUuo

Featuring Êlea of Noeta and Erik of Grift, Swedish duo Undantagsfolk is ready to share arcane stories worldwide on the debut EP “Den Ondes Fingrar”.

Listening to the dreamy atmospheres of “Då All Tid Försvinner” can be very a relaxing experience as the band creates magical barren folk melodies using harmonium and nylon stringed guitars with a minimalist music approach that allows the delicate vocals to spellbind the listeners.

The title track often feels like a celebration of the beauty of nature as it continues to focus on enchanting detailed melodic progressions and moving tonalities embellished by a heartfelt vocal delivery and this graceful ensemble always flows like a dream evoking feelings of loneliness and nostalgia.

Undantagsfolk are certainly inspired by ancient folk and Swedish traditions, consequently the sonic realm of “Den Ondes Fingrar” is made of sheer melancholy and soulful harmonies that naturally lead to a delightful dreamy sonic journey.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKnIcEmcz5w

Swedish blackened folk metal band Skogen are ready to spread immense melancholy and Nordic atmospheres on the new release “Skuggorna Kallar”.

While channeling all kinds of dark nuances “Det Nordkisa Morkret” focuses mainly on melancholic soundscapes, lost in the middle of a forest on a gelid winter day, as guitars craft mellow melodies surrounded by cold heartbreaking atmospheres while blackened dynamics tend to linger in the background providing steady riffing.

“Nebula” showcases hints of hellish black metal with ominous growls but the instrumental passages tend to follow a calmer melodic approach and a sorrowful mood as graceful folk oriented acoustic phrases hold a primary role in the song’s structure.

“Frostland” feels more aggressive with a feverish guitar riffing keeping a rather obscure rhythmic backbone enhanced by the occasional fiery growls while lead guitars channel pure darkness with elegantly somber melodic progressions.

“The Suns Blood” emerges from a sonic realm of uncompromising darkness as guitar riffs acquire extra cold gritty tonalities and the solo is accompanied by an overwhelming sense of despair fully expressed also by the poetic clean chants and the contrasting ravenous growls nevertheless the final minimalist acoustic passages channel a distant serenity.

Like a hymn to endless darkness “The Funeral” is bound to feel more depressing and desolate as soft acoustic guitars lead the way to a sunless soundscape where lavish and desperate guitar melodies create monochromatic textures leading to introspective atmospheric moments carefully crafted by hazy keyboards.

Overall, Skogen’s fifth album “Skuggorna Kallar” is a cohesive effort that skillfully blends primordial black metal vibes and enchanting folk nuances ultimately evoking the wintry beauty of Nordic landscapes.