Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 January 2014 19:20
Written by Pagan Hel
Artist: Avskydd
Label: Self- Released
Genre: Slow atmospheric harsh Industrial EBM
From: Sweden
Frederik Croona – the guy with the apt name has started a side project called Askydd which follows the path of a plodding more ambient guise,but more familiarly his name is also linked to his main project - Cynical Existence which has a more aggro-tech feel about it and only been in existence for two years! So he more than has his work cut out, but good to see more corners of the market explored by this talented artist.
Allt år så uppenbart
The most powerful track I have heard. It powers to light with a brooding but far from melancholic surging. Vocally scaling the heights with rapacious seething. The thick mind blowing rhythms are reminiscent of heavy footsteps or a heavy heartbeat making it sinister – harsh and to the extreme!
De Andra
Melodic and ambient it simply ambles into its existence with perfect timings and caustic screams that turn benign during the course of the track. Startling and listener aware it holds a certain plodding ambiance, but grips just as tight as it enthralls.
Det ende somm fins år slutet
The shrill sound of sharp choppy keyboard soon disappears and leaves behind a squally vocal that presents a taste of bitter sweet euphoria as the track sweeps melodically with a huge plundering rhythmic sway of imposing intensity!
Ondskan inom oss
My Swedish really isn’t up to much but musically this tracks stalks with predatory animalistic stance. Melodically embracing with incidental noises it is one of a very addictive and distinctive nature.
En vilja av ilska oh hat
This possesses a hollow mesmerizing sound of dark rhythms and once again the hearty and throaty vocal scorns, surrounded by a delicate shrill keyboard sound that is drenched in evocative pulsating entrapment.
Det ende jag har
The keyboard gets a good outing here. The vocal takes on a monotonous form at the beginning of the track and then turns to a more prominent role scathing and raw amid a sinewy groove that leaves a dark presence.
Ensamheten
This track literally burns the aural with high pitched keyboard and sonically raw rhythms. The vocals attack and explore with grating prowess. The tendrils of the track reach out and suck you into a wild embrace of mystique.
Avsky
This track starts off with promise but then falls flat of what the listener expects from it, which is a shame. I expected more of a rolling thunderous type of groove but what came forth fell well short of the mark.
En vårlid av hat
Holds a brewing and sinister gait of intensity and then like a carpet rolls out something less intense, however the vocals do not disappoint, swarming with twists of sharp keyboard intervention.
Outro
A heavy percussive array of beats that follow a tirade of acid rain type keyboard comes into play.
To Sum up:
Starting off this album promises so much but when the time comes to its end, it tends to go ‘off the boil’ a little with tracks that sound very similar to each other. However the vocal scathing is more than pleasurable to the aural and a welcome listen wraps itself around your ears, more than manipulating the emotions.
My favorite has to be ‘Allt år så uppenbart’ though, as its powerful rhythms and caustic taunts run through every vein in its entirety and is one thrilling and imaginative track. Although I was disappointed with ‘Avsky’ that is not Avskydd’s fault, but probably my own for expecting it to burst into a ravenous melee of heaviness, I was so ‘on my seat’ gripped with expectation that never hit, it rather threw me off guard.
What I do like about this album though is that it is sung in Swedish, it really adds a wholehearted flavor into the mix and sounds so much better than it would just sung in plain boring English, and adds a certain mystique, so hat’s off to Avskydd for not selling out and sticking to the norm! Plus it is always interesting working out what the track titles mean.
There are however, moments when this album is just overwhelming with a surging backwash of twisting intensity – so not all is lost and over time after a few more plays of the aforementioned tracks, when one gets more accustomed with the dark responses they bring, will, no doubt strike a chord and become favorites too!
8½/10
Track List:
Allt år så uppenbart
De Andra
Det ende somm fins år slutet
Ondskan inom oss
En vilja av ilska oh hat
Det ende jag har
Ensamheten
Avsky
En vårlid av hat
Outro
Members:
Frederik Croona - Vocals
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