Year:2020
Time: 23:28
Label: Edged Circle Productions
Second new split for the Norwegian Blacksters TAAKE in 2020, as three months after the collaboration with WHOREDOM RIFLE for “Pakt”, they return with an alliance with their compatriots Black Metallers DEATHCULT. The split is entitled “Jaertegn” and each band participates with a new song and a cover.
Side A belongs to TAAKE with their new song “Slagmark” (in which DJEVEL’s Ciekals also participates in guitar and vocals) and the cover of DARKTHRONE’s “Ravnajuv”. The new composition is much better than the song with which they participated in the previous split and takes us back several years and specifically to the second album of the band “Over Bjoergvin graater himmerik”. “Slagmark” moves mostly in mid-tempo rhythms with the characteristic TAAKE’s melodies and with a more aggressive and raw character compared to their latest album songs. The truth is that I didn’t expect it and TAAKE pleasantly surprised me, as the classic Norwegian Black Metal riffing with the raw production evoke emotions that we felt in this genre’s songs of the early 90’s. Next, is the cover for DARKTHRONE’s “Ravnajuv”, song from the album “Total Death” and in which, TAAKE leave their touch. In the first half, it sounds just like the original and from this point forward TAAKE start slowly to add some of their elements like the synths at the end of the song.
Onwards with side B and DEATHCULT, with their new composition “Der Würger” and the cover of “Black Arts” by the amazing Finns BEHERIT, from their masterpiece “Drawing Down The Moon”. “Der Würger” is a fairly good example of raw, aggressive Black Metal with tremolo riffing and the nostalgic atmosphere of the days when churches were set on fire in their homeland, with a different tone on the bass compared to TAAKE. Regarding the cover, the Norwegians managed to maintain the “primitive” sound of the original composition and through their Black Metal filter to deliver us an excellent cover.
As I mentioned earlier, the split from the compositions to the cover delivers a Black Metal feeling and the aesthetics of the early 90’s, spitting on the faces of those who try to modernize the genre by altering its DNA. Bands like TAAKE and DEATHCULT are here to remind everyone that the Black Metal flame that lit in Norway 30 years ago will burn forever. “Jaertegn” will be released on July 10, 2020, only on 10-inch limited edition vinyl and cassette.
Rating: 7.5/10
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link: TAAKE – Facebook Page
DEATHCULT – Facebook Page
