ninehertz

For a debut, this makes quite an impression, marking Skogskult as a band to follow within the stoner/doom realms in future. There are tracks here that are already of the high echelons of modern stoner rock, drawing on occult themes and overladen with fuzz guitars. That it is also inconsistent, with lows following these highs, is a shame but not fatal – particularly as it is their debut after all.

There’s a strong sense of the long and rich history of Scandinavian impact upon stoner rock and doom here, from the Swedish lyrics and Norse burial ritual imagery cast – Skogskult adding themselves to that legacy instantly.

It begins well, the first track purposeful in the manner of Yob, aiming for grandness, particularly through the vocal delivery. The doom is slow, steady and wistful. The only issue is the length – nine minutes is nothing for doom, but they don’t do much with them. Turs is better, a nice, morose build through excellent guitar work, mature doom that retains the capacity to thrill.

The following track then is a bit of a downer, the vocals slightly off-putting with their accented strain. We’re then back up again with the excellent Pakten and its retro-stoner vibe, perhaps with a nod to the likes of Acid King, or even a band on the edge of the Scandinavian proto-doom revival like Troubled Horse.

The fifth track is quieter, but blows by without making an impression, before one final up curve on the album's closer, the vocals again standing out but for the better, in similar worlds to a band who are seemingly an influence, Monolord.

I can’t recall an album that has me on a high in excitement to miserly faced low and back again as this, a rollercoaster of ups and downs, but – and this is important – it is better half an album making great impressions than a full album of consistent averageness, and my takeaway thoughts from Skogskult will be favourably focussed on the moments of high class doom.