KOLDBRANN made a name for themselves with their first output Nekrotisk Invision back in 2003, and were able to strengthen their reputation with a split CD with fellow Norwegian brutal Black Metallers Ljå and an E.P. called Atomvinter.
Now the quartet finally released a new full length album titled Moribund, and I would be more than surprised, if they won’t gain a spot among the top of Scandinavian Black Metal acts with this album.
Despite their success with the first album, the band did not get obsessively stuck to their probed formula, and showed courage by expanding their horizons.
While in 2003 the Norsemen impressed the audience mostly with their almost inhuman aggressiveness and power, it now seems that KOLDBRANN matured during the recent years.
Of course, the raw and rough sound and the corresponding production did not change that much (except for an improved and clearer guitar tone); and of course they still play periodically „with the throttle full open“, but besides the wild, sometimes almost industrial or machine-made appearing high speed thrashing, they now provide a much more complex kind of Black Metal of as well finest quality.
Moribund is not that catchy when you listen to it the first or second time, but gains with every repetition. KOLDBRANN use, much more as on past releases, slower and sluggish passages, with, as in the opener Alt Er Befent, sometimes melodic guitar play, which shift the listener in spherical dimensions, just in order to create abrupt and surprising changes of atmosphere. The best example for that might be the track The Smell Of Vitriol, but by this approach, all the songs on the album obtain, without exception, a deep black and dazing ambience. You can almost feel the band’s hate filled attitude.
As an extra delicacy, the last song Bestial Swarm features Iblis of German label fellows Endstille performing all vocals, an experiment that turns out astonishingly well. In my opinion, Mannevond’s voice is clearer but nonetheless cruel and works better with the sound of Moribund, but the wrathful screeching by Iblis fits in as well.
With Moribund, KOLDBRANN prove that it’s still possible to play interesting, atmospheric and very angry old-school-like Black Metal without being anachronistic and without sounding like something one heard a thousand times before.
Plain and simple, this is an extraordinary, great Black Metal album and a clear recommendation to buy for any fan of the genre.