Vreld – Pitch Black Brigade / 2006 Candlelight Records / 8 Tracks / http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com / Reviewed 24 July 2006

Vreld plays a very fast brand of metal that does not give listeners a moment of breathing time. The disc’s first track, “Da Draumen Rakna” may have a few second breakdown, but the average second of this Vreld track holds double bass drumming and a shitload of screaming. There is not much during the disc’s first few tracks that is drastically different from the rest of death metal on the market. The one difference that can be heard on “Pitch Black Brigade” has to be during “Left To Hate” where the bass line chugs through at a level that individuals can decipher what is being played. Oftentimes, the high end is caressed without much in the way of the low end (excepting the double bass) being able to be heard. This full sound is Vreld’s and Vreld’s only, and this move hopefully will filter out to other bands being formed in the current. “Pitch Black” is drastically different for Vreld in the sense that the band slows down things considerably.

Where the compositions during “Left To Hate” were at hyperspeed, the chord shifts are very discernible and feel much more deliberate. The martial drums that become louder as the track progresses give a very war-like feeling to the track, as well as a timeless sound that is only bolstered by the very Megadeth-like guitar work. “The Red Smell” is another track in which Vreld keeps the tempo slow, and a sound for “Pitch Black Brigade” begins to take shape. The tracks are not long (for the most part; a song like “Hengebjorki” almost tops ten minutes), but they are able to play an entire range of styles and sounds until they can wind a track down.

“Hengebjorki” may be over twice the length of the average track on “Pitch Black Brigade”, but this does not fail listeners. In fact, there is a movement on “Hengebjorki” that is towards the end of the track that brings a whole new level of catchiness from Vreld. This, being strategically placed in the middle of the disc, is enough to keep individuals focused and listening in. The tracks may never make it to Headbanger’s Ball (a little too raw for Jamey and the rest of the crew), but this is not to say that Vreld are slackers when it comes to playing intense metal. Pick this album up from Candlelight and be blown away by the band.

Top Tracks: Hengebjorski, Pitch Black

Rating: 5.9/10

[JMcQ]