Krigsgrav - Stormcaller

Krigsgrav is a blackened doom metal band from Texas who formed in 2004. Their latest release, “Stormcaller,” is their 8th full-length album; they have also released a demo and an EP.

I'm only familiar with this band's last few releases but, “Stormcaller,” is the best of what I've heard.

It's an interesting release because the atmosphere is cold and distant yet the production has a certain warmth to it that brings out the melodic moments.

It isn't just the melodies that make the album stick out, either. The songs are quite sweeping and come laced with post elements. 

Of course, being black metal, it has plenty of aggressive moments but nestled between them is where the doom and gloom lives, bringing out the best of the song writing. 

I also like how the elements, even when they are starkly different, work with each other rather than against.  Even when the riffs are pulled back to act as more of a layered gathering of notes instead of actually riffs, the drums and vocals are there to provide ample destruction.  When the songs are more riff based, the rhythm isn't always faster paced but can use introspective moments to push the songs forward.

The bass guitar is possibly the best factor on in this, being wonderfully melodic and yet hammering when called upon.

The album opens with “Huntress of the Fire Moon,” and the song settles into a groove early on that balances their sense of melody with blackened tempos. The doom arrives soon after, downtrodden riffs that push melancholy through the skeleton of the song.  The later of the song is melodic doom, a guitar attack that is catchy as hell. 

The band, despite their doom leanings, doesn't waste time in beginning the songs “Twlight Fell,” dives fully into the waters. The vocals are potent, a layering of screams and growls that threaten to sweep it all away.  Even when the melody reaches a rich flavoring, the band powers through--this song is highly atmospheric but it has weight to it as well.  The sudden tempo change in the middle is a whiplash against the senses and a nice way to break up any monotony.

 “Bay of the Barghest,” is one of the heavier songs on the album, largely due to the vocals and powerful drums. But in between the notes rests plenty of autumnal layers. Around the 3:32 mark, the song fades out for a darkly gorgeous passage that is as dark as it is enthralling.  It is little moments like this where the band fully exposes what they are capable of. 

The final song, “Womb: Death: Dawn” is my favorite on the album. Even if the other songs were not good, this song would still make the album great.  It's very abrasive yet melancholic. The vocals are brutal, a mixture of growls and screams that bulldoze the music together into a massive wall of sound.  There is a constant rising action, a sense of futility that hangs in the air. 

All in all, Krigsgrav's “Stormcaller” is indeed a storm of emotions, a potent mixture of black, doom and melodic textures with a ton of depth.

Rating: Great