Old Wainds - 'Death Nord Kult'

Frost-bitten Russian black metal that leaves an impression with simple yet memorable and impressive songwriting, lending in the creation of an intentionally bleak atmosphere.

Born in the northernmost regions of Russia, Old Wainds presents an old-school brand of black metal that successfully captures the atmospherics that alludes so many bands. The barren, desolate, frost-bitten surroundings within which they reside is apparently a prime source of inspiration, and that unquestionably comes forth through their music.

Immediate reference points are obvious, including the melodic malevolence of Darkthrone, the repetitive hypnotism of Burzum, and the epic otherworldliness of Bathory. Yet, importantly, these strands are picked up and woven together in a unique, distinct manner. In other words, Old Wainds are more than mere carbon copies of their influences. (Important to note is the definite thrash element that’s ever-present and yet embedded such that it’s not immediately recognizable.)

If given proper time and attention, Death Nord Kult has the ability to take listeners on a melancholy-filled journey, accented with bursts of hatred, that’s obscure and powerfully evocative. Indeed, individual tracks are less relevant in the scope of what’s essentially a seamless listening experience.

However, the fact that Death Nord Kult flows together as one long drawn-out song is also what holds it back. There clearly aren’t enough disparate ideas meriting the album’s length. In fact, if the release’s running time was chopped in half, nothing would be lost; and if anything, the bands strengths would stand out more prominently and with more immediacy.