For a band named Wrath they sure have gotten rather mellow. Before I delve too much farther into this review of Vreid’s third album let me explain that remark. I started out this morning listening to Gorgoroth, all of their stuff in chronological order, and then I switched to Vreid, starting with Kraft, then Pitch Black Brigade, and finally I Krig, the subject of this review. I was right in the middle of the title track thinking listening to this music will make you so relaxed that all your cares will fall off like autumn leaves when a guy comes into my shop, visibly flinches and tightens his shoulders while exclaiming “Oh my god, this music is harsh.” After a few minutes he informs me that this music makes him anxious, and on edge.

Vreid has moved beyond the post Windir tag. Now listeners should be evaluating new material on the basis of Vreid, not on the basis of Windir. Vreid is more melodic, but not folk melody driven, but still occasionally show some folkish flair, otherwise they are black thrash moving further from black metal. The vocals are still harsh, but understandable, the pace is mostly slowish and rhythmically heavy. The intensity level overall is good. Once again there is a lot of variation without feeling like a sampling of disparate styles plopped down, it flows well within each song and works cohesively as an album. “I Krig” has a nice melodic instrumental extended intro and then drops into some fast black with a heavy emphasis on repetitive riffing. The drums are loud and the guitar leads carry the song forward throughout its length at a rapid clip. The violin fits in very well. On “Svart” clean vocals put in a brief appearance. “Folkefiendar” features mixed death and black vocals and thrash guitars. Blastbeats droning guitars and harsh spoken word and clean vocals compete for your attention on “Dei Daude Steig Av Grav”.

Picking my top three songs, it would be “Fangegard” which really feels like it could be a leftover Windir song with true folk vocals, cool melodies and that great Windir emotional feel and “Millom Hav Og Fjell” which, on the other hand, is a great Vreid song with good pacing, some good riffs and guitars that dominate without the need for excessive melodic lines. There are quiet passages and the drumming is simple and precise with an air of complexity, and the title track, “I Krig”, simply one of their best songs yet.

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