Apoch's Metal Review - Vreid: Milorg CD Review

Discography	Discography covers all information available up to day of review and is updated if future albums are reviewed.
Full-Length(s):	Kraft (2004) • Pitch Black Brigade (2006) • I Krig (2007) • Milorg (2009) • V (2011)
Single(s):	Noen Å Hate (2010)
DVD(s):	Vreid Goddamnit (2010)

Review

Vreid has become a Melodic Black Metal act that has basically started to dominate the style. The group formed back in 2004, and hails from Sogndal, Norway. The same year the band formed, they issued their debut release, Kraft through Tabu Recordings to plenty of rave reviews. Since then the band has continued to grow, and their third album, I Krig, was easily hailed as one of the best modern Black Metal releases to hit shelves lately. Two years later, Vreid return with their fourth album, Milorg. But, does this effort live up to the priase of I Krig, or has the success of that album gone to the group's head?

Like usual to Melodic Black Metal acts, this album's audio feels pretty stylish. The quality sounds crisp and clear with that pollished vibe to it, but not to the point of sterilization. The bass shines through here nicely, being pretty loud in the mix without coming through as too dominant. The guitars here do come through pretty heavy as well instead of being sharper to the Black Metal stereotype, which works well due to the heavier bass influence. Neither really sound fantastic or awe inspiring, but still come off good for what the band is trying to do with the album. The drums here don't really come off as anything too spectacular either. The cymbols crash well but nothing too commanding or impressive, the bass kicks are a bit of a dull thud that seem to get drowned out in the mix with the snares really sticking out over them which sound pretty good, though some can feel a bit too low in volume. The one thing you cannot deny is that Vreid brings in a good amount of energy to this release, especially during the faster songs, but the vocals really capture it nicely throughout the album. Much of the release is performed with that rhaspier style, but not a traditional version of just screaming like most Black Metal bands, instead having some range and harmonizations incorporated. There's also some very soft clean singing that appears here and there, such as wtih the track "Disciplined," and it just works out so well for the release and becomes one of the more impressive elements of the recording.

The album's war concept works well for the blacker sounding material, and some of the colder songs that do appear through the release. "Alarm" starts off the album well with a bit of a frenzied yet commanding authority to it. This also makes for the longest track on the release, and comes off as more of a gutsy move that ends up paying off for them. The track does offer up a good amount of variety throughout the song, never really losing sign to the original sound of the song at it's start aside some slower march-to-death sounding moments that pop-up. There are some clean singing moments here, and are performed in a very low voice that matches things despairing tone at that point well. The song also brings with it a colder atmosphere that not a lot of other songs have, yet still retains more of a modern sound to it that works to make it feel as if just a retelling of the story which can be interpreted more through the way the lyrics are penned and performed. This one sadly is one of the few really atmospherically depressing tracks of the release, with the rest of the material feeling more traditional to the melodic aspect of this style, having a bit of a commanding vibe to the music to work with the war-theme, and unfortunately not all manage to really grip the listener.

"Speak Goddamnit" really does manage to speak to the listener well with it's harder, more headbang worthy approach. The catchier material backed up by a more authoritive vive works well with the atmosphere, though the slower paced interlude that occurs during the track doesn't really help to do much for it in the long run, and can actually feel a bit drawn out after a while before hammering back into that war soaked dismal atmosphere that often protrudes in the release during some of the faster moments, feeding a bit of a depressive tone to the album and some of the tracks, but it varies greatly. Whereas this one feels more burdening through the sense of battle, other tracks like "Disciplined" can feel cleaner, but the cleanly sung passages can evoke a genuine emotional tug towards a depressing, somber atmosphere that benefits the track. Much of that somber vibe is lost by the time you reach "Heroes & Villains" as well. This song focuses more on that intense sound that "Alarm" had, though feeling of war doesn't quite feel as captured. The track's faster pace and energetic performance sounds great and leads to some more complex melodic music then other songs on here that instantly catches the listener's attention and demandings some head banging be performed from start to finish.

"Heroes & Villains" seems to be part of a little series of tracks that end up linked together through some stronger atmospheric instrumentals. "Blucher" is another strong song to take note of that goes into a somewhat enjoyable atmospheric instrumental for "Blucher Pt. II," which seems to be connected with the next track. Frm that one, the atmosphere continues with the instrumental "Argumento ex Silentio," which is a little stronger and more enjoyable then "Blucher Pt. II" and heads into the title track, "Milorg." This song feels a little more out of place thanks to it's slower, galloping pace and lacking of atmosphere to it.

North American Version

The North American version of Milorg comes with a bonus track covering the Seigmen song "Skjebnen." The song itself doesn't really seem to fit the atmosphere that Vreid is going for with the album, and even feels greatly out of place musically. But, this doesn't mean it's a bad bonus track. The song itself has a more aggressive sound that does match the atmosphere, and Vreid does a good job in covering the song, though it's still not the most intense recording by the group. The only real complaint is that the song cuts out a bit too early at the end, not allowing the music to come to a natural conclusion.

Overall, Milorg may not be as strong as I Krig on some levels, but the album is still an engaging listen. The harsher tone of the music with varying atmospheres to reflect the war themes that seem to be centered around World War II are often well done, and the performances here are largely energetic, though some slower songs don't feel the same way and come off more as if to be authoritive, but don't quite work out. There's a number of times where headbanging along is not really an option, but more mandatory, and those moments really do help the album along. There are times where the shifting of music, or even some of the lesser exciting tracks here may start to bore you after a few spins, but a good majority of this release does feature enough solid music to have you coming back for more. For a Melodic Black Metal effort, Milorg is a pretty strong release that fans of the style will definitely find a lot more positive things to talk about and enjoy then the negative, so if you enjoy the style and just well done music of this genre, then this Vreid album is one you'll more then likely want to check out.

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

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