Are you ready for some black metal? Of course you are. Today I get to bring you a brand new track from the Swedish black metal duo Blodskam. This track is taken from their upcoming album Ave Eva, which will be released on September 23, 2022 through Suicide Records. The album is an enticing reinterpretation of the biblical and destructive force of Eve and the story of her bloody mission to destroy Earth, slaughter its creatures, and undo God’s creation to restore infinite chaos. What a concept – I love it. “Sharpening The Knives” is the first track from the forthcoming six-song release, and if this tidbit of the album is any indication of the record as a whole, I’m here for all of it.
Blodskam show their compositional prowess on this song, and it makes sense that it’s as good as it is – the duo have been making music under this moniker on and off since 1998. The lilting riff that leads the verse keeps the song pushing forward while the various segues into less melodic territory are done just as well and interpret the chaos that’s inherent in black metal to a fine edge. Check “Sharpening The Knives” below!
There’s nothing quite like black metal in this vein – the percussive, drum-led interludes, the melodious riffing, and the wall of sound that ionizes the air around all of this. I also brushed up on the band’s last outing to get a feel for the entirety of their sound and what to expect on Ave Eva, and if the new material is anything like their last outing Là-Bas, we’re all in for a tasty treat. I like black metal with riffs rather than just trempicking all the time and Blodskam find ways to give us those hooks without the use of vocal melody. It’s a trick that works great and when employed properly can really set a band and album apart.
Armed with a stellar (and surprisingly legible) vocal approach, a compelling narrative, and plenty of punch in the instrumentation, the sky is the limit for Blodskam. If “Sharpening The Knives” is any indication of what’s to come, we’re all in for quite a ride. You can follow the band on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with all of their goings on and be sure to visit Suicide Records where Ave Eva can be pre-ordered here.
