Bizarrekult - Alt Som Finnes [CD / Vinyl]

In keeping with the black metal genre’s fiercely individual spirit, Roman V. began his life as BIZARREKULT as a lone wolf. Moving to Norway at the end of the 2000s inspired him to bend but not break with tradition by honing his own grim yet luminary vision for post-black metal. His third studio album, ‘Alt Som Finnes’ (“all there is”), was created in a desperate search for meaning.

‘Alt Som Finnes’ maintains the classic energy of old school. With its crazed riffs and blistering howls, there’s no escape from the feverish intensity of “Drøm”. But while BIZARREKULT remains rooted in Norwegian black metal, the album strips away all of our defenses while adding more post-metal ambience. “Avmakt” surges and seethes in a fight for control before losing power amidst melodies that fall then fade like dying pinpricks of light.

As with BIZARREKULT’s two previous retreats into the studio, ‘Alt Som Finnes’ emerged from a deeply personal crisis. Only this time, Roman is not alone in confronting all there is. He’s joined in his struggle by guest vocalists from Predatory Void, MØL and Dødheimsgard. Behind a steady pounding of double bass, lead single “Blikket Hennes” buzzes with the all-consuming darkness of a guilty conscience, only for Yusaf “Vicotnik” Parvez to enlighten us with soothing cleans. Despite being riddled with regrets, closer “Tomhet” breaks new ground as the first BIZARREKULT song sung in English.

“Am I alone like this? No, we are many”. It’s a damning realization, but also a call for all of us to become something greater.

For fans of ENSLAVED, DEAFHEAVEN, DØDHEIMSGARD, DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT.
Artwork by Averjan M.(aka gravestench_art).