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NORDVARGR: Awaken Release year: 2002 Format: CD Tracklist: 1: Awaken 04:24 Total length: 54:36 min General Facts: This is the offshot side-project of Nordvargr of MZ 412 and it is described as Black Ambient in the press release. Awaken is released as a co-production between Nordvargr, Eibon and Code666 and it is limited to 1000 digi-packed copies with booklet. Mr. Nordvargr seems to become more and more active with every passing day. The recent activities of Toroidh involves an entire triology released within a year. Also, a Nordvargr/Drakh collaboration was released this spring by Fluttering Dragon and Old Europa Café has a double-CD out with compiled tracks from the various projects of this artists. Not to forget, there should also be a Sleep Therapy box out soon. Next year will probably see the release of the highly awaited Infernal Affairs 4 X 12 by mainproject MZ 412. A full list of Nordvargr's previous and forthcoming releases can be found by clicking here. Review: Spawned in the grim workshop of Villa Bohult, Awaken is a Dark Ambient experience presenting sick and twisted nightmare soundscapes. The music emerges from a fundament of drones, string and wicked voices and it flows vididly into the listening environment. There is sometimes an Omenesque feeling to the music while it also makes me think of Lustmord at times. The sick, tormented wails of Hascimh along with a limping rhythm creates a very deranged atmosphere. The vocals generate a really scary effect since these vocals - unlike those of many of Nordvargr's other projects - sound awfully realistic. In general, the album paints dark images of the subterranean torture chambers of medieval Europe: Skeletonised humans tied to wheels, having their last flesh pulled off by pincers; red-hot lead, poured over naked human skin; tortured heretics screaming in pain, blinded by their own blood, coagulating over their eyes etc. etc. The common denominator ought to be that of horror. Nordvargr has once also been experimenting with some aspects of the Black Metal sound, yet this experimentation is only of small scale and there are no actual Black Metal tracks on Awaken. Just a section of polyphonous distorted guitar in the entrance to the second track. Like on Nordvargr/Drakh's Cold Void of Nothing. The effect is an substantial and somber one which go in unison with the rest of the album. It is nice to see that some still realise the potentional of Black Metalesque guitars, if used in a proper way of course. This may to be Nordvargr's prime jewel however. Yet it is definitely a piece worth checking out if you are a fan or Nordvargr's music or a fan of twisted Dark Ambient music in general. Awaken gently tucks you in and set you of on a journey to nightmare land. Yet true to the name of the album, don't expect to sleep tight. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Five questions to Nordvargr ECTONAUT: Please introduce your project to the Ortus Obscurum readers. For how long have you been doing this and for what reason? NORDVARGR: I have been recording and releasing music since the eighties. Enough said. ECTONAUT: Tell us something about the tracks on the reviewed release. Did you work with specific methods when you composed them? Is there a concept behind this release or anything else interesting that you think we should know about this release? NORDVARGR: When I recorded Awaken I tried to think differently than I usually do when recording Dark Ambient. I was more focused on the atmosphere and the 'feel' of the end result than on the methods of making it. I also recorded it all late at night with minimal lighting to get a nocturnal mood - sitting in the dark with loud volume when listening to this recording is recommended since that is how it was recorded. ECTONAUT: How would you describe your music to completely new listeners? Do you feel that your project belongs to a certain genre? Are there any bands that you think you can relate to soundwise and conceptwise? NORDVARGR: This is pure Dark Ambient with a haunting and dense atmosphere of panic, madness and fear. ECTONAUT: What is most important in music according to you? How do you define quality music and what are your musical influences? NORDVARGR: The "feeling" you get when you listen to it - good music sends shivers down your spine. Musical influences? I am an extreme consumer of music and I listen to it all the time... it is very hard to pick a few favourites, and even harder to pick up things that influence me. ECTONAUT: What plans do you have for the future? Are there any new releases planned? Anything else you would like to add? NORDVARGR: There will soon be a 8 CD box called 'Sleep Therapy' out on Old Europa Café. It is not exactly in the same style as Awaken, it is more ambient and not so 'threatening'. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Click here to enter Nordvargr's website - Click here to contact Nordvargr |
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