Apoch's Metal Review - Taake: Taake CD Review

Discography	Discography covers all information available up to day of review and is updated if future albums are reviewed.
Full-Length(s):	Nattestid Ser Porten Vid (1999) • Over Bjoergvin Graater Himmerik (2002) • Hordalands Doedskvad (2005) • Taake (2008) • Noregs Vaapen (2011)
EP(s):	Koldbrann I Jesu Marg (1996) • Nekro (2007) • Svartekunst (2008) • Kveld (2011)
Split(s):	Sadistic Attack / Nordens Doedsengel (2004) • A Norwegian Hail to VON (2006) • Men of Eight / Lagnonector (2006) Dra Til Helvete! / Restart the Night! (2006) • Swine of Hades (2011)
Demo(s):	Manndaudsvinter (1995)
Compilation(s):	The Box (Box Set) (2004) • Helnorsk Svartmetall (2004)

Review

Sporting the proud banner of "True Norwegian Black Metal!!!!" on the artwork, Taake clearly takes pride in that fact of their musical output, and so do their fans. The group formed back in 1993, and since then have issued a number of releases including various splits and full-length offerings that fans of the band have raved about, as well as earning critical success. In 2008, the band issued their self-titled album, Taake, making it their fourth full-length release, which found an early 2009 release in North America through Century Media Records. But with the rabid fans of Black Metal proclaiming success, does Taake really end up being a strong offering to the style, or is it mostly built up around the hype of the Taake name and symbolism?

The audio here feels a little rawer then you might expect to find from acts that play this more aggressive style. While the material comes off a little more modern at times, varying between that and throwing back to the early second wave of the Black Metal sound, the audio feels a little foggy thanks to that raw approach, sounding a little lighter and hollow, but not at all to ruin the overall experience and ultimately adding to the total atmosphere of the recording. The guitars here sound pretty sharp and work well despite the situation, whether it be the traditional riffs of the Black Metal style or during the more chaotic blasting passages. The bass works well to not be too dominating, but still an audible level in the mix that adds a bit of a blunter edge to the sharper guitars, making itself known quite well, especially during some of the slower passages that creep up such as during "Umenneske." The snares of the kit sound loudly with a tight yet hollower sound with bass kicks that have a strong thud to them, and clear cymbols that crash nicely without being too loud, though still feel rather commanding. All of this with that general audio quality already mentioned leads to some really haunting atmospherical traits to the music that genuinely capture the Norwegian environment that the band tries to incorporate into their music. Atop of all that, listeners are given a strong, energetic vocal performance of the traditional rhaspy style that is well ranged and exhibits as much energy as the music does against the dismal, haunting vibes they collectively create.

Taake actually will throw listeners for a bit with the way it starts off. While much of this release has that modern aggression mixed in with the early Black Metal sound, "Atternatt" actually feels more along the lines of something one might expect from a more modern act of the style due to the amount of aggression here and faster pace that both end up sacrificing the darker, haunting atmosphere of the release. The cold environment is still here though, leaving the song's more energetic and stronger bass-fueled song to give off a heavy frostbitten element that works well, but is not quite seem again to this magnitude. The energy that comes off this track is quite impressive, and really highlights the intensity the band can bring into the mix, as well as their ability to weave some nice transitions from that faster fury into a slower, melancholic sound that sets a very folk oriented sound and depressive overtone.

But, while this track stand out more in the category of variety compared to the stronger early traditional Black Metal sound of later tracks, "Umenneske" also ushers in another major influence of inspiration to the music. This track follows the same concept of energy, atmosphere, and the slower passage at one point, though it's not quite as strong or environmentally engaging as the one in "Atternatt," and gives it an early Punk and Heavy Metal approach while still sticking to that more common template. The chords here really stand out and give the music that more aggressive sound, but in a bit of a rebellious tone then the sinister, aggressive manner outlined in the previous track, and many others that follow. However, that slower passage does hit around the half way point, eliminating that sound of rebellion and giving way to more ritualistic, trance-like material for the rest of the song. This isn't bad, and offers up a good deal of variety to keep the eight plus minute length worth sitting through, but this slower section does feel a bit drawn out despite the more natural progression into it. This is about where the album stops trying to be a little different, and instead focuses more on solid traditional Black Metal, though there are some other tracks here that stand out well, and more for that aggressive sound that came through earlier.

"Doedsjarl" is easily far more energetic compared to "Atternatt," and really works on the whole sinister side of things with relentless sharp music that just slices away at the skin with energy and pure unbridled aggression for most of the song before slowing down once more like many other tracks. While the slower moments of these songs feel natural, this one doesn't quite feel that way, and definitely ends up being rather unwelcome considerng how intense and awe-inspiring the faster, rage-driven material prior to it was. This also starts to show a pattern in the music for Taake on this effort of having a normal pace, then around or shortly after the half-way point just slowing down a bit whether it fits the song or not, and taking things from there. Granted this passage helps feed the haunting envrionment of the song with a colder sound, but it feels unnatural to what started the track, and just largely disappointing after having your blood pump as hard and fast as it did prior to this section. There's also the song "September Omsider" which does go back to the more aggressive sound once more, but utilizes some vocal work and atmospheres that really push the haunting atmosphere that comprises much of the album further into the mix of the song, and really makes it far more appealing then the other tracks on here. Of course the album ends with "Velg Bort Libet," the longest track here clocking in at ten minutes and forty seconds.

The song's colder and grim Black Metal sound against a more ruthless approach that isn't quite as aggressive as previous songs on here, but still manages to really grip the listener with intensity makes for a fantastic conclusion to this release for the most part. The track moves fluidly throughout the faster elements and slower parts of the audio, never really sounding the same as before and offering up enough variety to keep such a long length enjoyable. The performance itself is also rather energetic, and finds the atmospheres shifting throughout the release, though much of the time past the initial aggressive spark leans more towards that haunting environment with some vocal work that suits it well in the background at very limited key moments.

But, despite these tracks and their rather solid offerings, does Taake really end up being that strong an album? Well, yes and no. Taake shows that the atmosphere is there for a good majority of the album, working with the rawer tone of the music to create varying amounts of aggression and haunting environments against some sharp early Black Metal foundations that do ring true to the band's claim of true Norwegian Black Metal. As far as being what one might consider a definition of the style, the band does it right. Many of the songs here are engaging and quite enjoyable, but there are times where the songs don't quite drive the point home, and the constant shifting from one speed to another in a rather patterned state does make the album feel like it pulls back from what it can truly offer. If you enjoy this style of music from any generation of it's interpretation, or even just a fan of Taake's previous work, then this album will end up being a release you'll definitely enjoy, even with it's faults, and it does end up being a good entry to the band's discography, though it definitely is not their strongest offering.

Physical review copy of this release provided by:
Personal funds.

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