Year: 2020
Total Time: 28:06
Label: Wolfspell Records

             MOLDE VOLHAL comes from Norway and “Into the Cave of Ordeals” is his introductory  release to the extreme metal scene, while at the same time there is not much information regarding the band. In essence we are dealing with a one-man Black Metal project as Dag is the only member who has taken over everything.

             Seeing the words Norway and Black Metal we would all expect a record of frozen Scandinavian Black Metal but Dag had other thoughts. He delivers us a Black Metal album influenced mainly by the Quebecois scene and particularly FORTERESSE . “Into the Cave of Ordeals” consists of all those elements of Quebec’s Black Metal scene. Raw guitars which in moments have a melancholic tone while the solos reveal Dag’s love for classic Heavy Metal, epic melodies and stormy drums. In some parts, keys are used with mastery enhancing the atmosphere, while the three-minute composition “In the Land Where Frozen Rivers Meet…” is a Dungeon Synth interlude that could have been written by SUMMONING.

           So, overlook the slightly strange (ugly for some) cover and indulge in the musical magic of “Into the Cave of Orientals” as it is a underground Black Metal diamond and one of 2020’s best releases. The EP was originally released in July 2020 only in digital format with Wolfspell Records recently announcing that it will finally be released in physical form in the coming months to be added to our collection.

Rating: 7.5/10
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link: MOLDE VOLHAL – Bandcamp Page