A chic new opus is now upon us. Taake’s long-awaited eighth full-length album, Et Hav av Avstand, is about to drop on September 1, six years after the band’s final full-length launch, Kong vinter. Taake ranks among the many most well-known and globally revered names in all of black steel; Bergens Tidende, certainly one of Norway’s main papers, has referred to as Taake “essentially the most attention-grabbing and uncompromising Norwegian band within the style.” Et Hav av Avstand proves that the Norwegian Grammys are loopy for under giving Taake a nomination for Noregs vaapen (2011), “Norway’s Weapon,” however by no means a win.

Et Hav av Avstand consists of 4 tracks. The whole sonic voyage lasts simply over an unforgettable 42 minutes. Though three of the songs are greater than 11 minutes lengthy, this charismatic effort retains listeners firmly below its spell. That is the kind of mesmerizing providing that consistently attracts you again in for repeated performs all through your day. In any case, you may must hearken to Et Hav av Avstand a couple of instances earlier than you even start to correctly grasp it; nonetheless, when you do, this document turns into a large earworm. Et Hav av Avstand creates an oddly difficult but extremely rewarding expertise that may be in comparison with classical music.

Hoest, Taake’s mastermind, handles vocals and all devices himself. Though Taake has had different members and labored with an extended record of company up to now, we’re completely satisfied when Hoest acts as a lone wolf. Hoest’s willingness to tackle all roles right here has resulted in a completely cohesive, remarkably balanced product that demonstrates his clear-sighted creative imaginative and prescient. His vocals are brutal and genuine, as we anticipate them. There may be at all times an infectious sense of bodily vitality that radiates from the performances of this black steel magician. Hoest slays us with glorious drums and deadly riffs. But, regardless of the music’s ferocity, a masterful sense of restraint stays current. In an effort to catch the entire nuances, Hoest forces you to show the quantity up and hear intently.

At first, Et Hav av Avstand might appear to be a rainbow painted with the numerous shades of grey. But, when examined extra carefully, the document morphs right into a psychedelic marvel. The music provides ideally positioned daring bursts of coloration. These regularly come up from the beautiful guitar work and basslines, which partially function ear sweet. We should notice that there’s particularly depraved bass on the ultimate observe, “Et Uhyre av en Kniv.” This composition typically gives us with an overwhelming sense of doom and gloom and fills the thoughts’s eye with photos of carnival horrors. Hoest sprinkles in some soundbites at completely different factors throughout the album that create a trippy impact on account of their mixture with the misanthropic music.

Et Hav av Avstand takes you thru the total gamut of feelings. Regardless of its melancholia, Et Hav av Avstand additionally induces ecstasy. As savage as Et Hav av Avstand could also be in the best locations, this album is kind of enjoyable and even pleasantly amusing at instances. For instance, we hear beautiful vocalizations that sound just like the orgasm of a dying animal towards the tip of the primary track, “Denne forblaaste Spoil av en Bro.” In any case, Et Hav av Avstand touches you in all essentially the most intimate locations. If its magnificence doesn’t make you moist within the eyes and the nether areas in the end, e-book an appointment with a shrink and a doctor.

The legendary Hoest is, in fact, beloved for his sensible songwriting. He doesn’t disappoint followers in that regard right here. Et Hav av Avstand presents us with a ton of surprises that signify Hoest’s fearlessness, artistic freedom, and wild facet. Every composition is filled with a dizzying variety of modifications. The album is harking back to a stroll off the crushed path by the woods — you by no means know the place it can lead, and thus consistently encounter new discoveries. The juxtaposition that Hoest creates between rugged and complicated parts will go away you speechless. Hoest crafts breathtaking melodies. His depraved grooves usually hit you from left area but simply may pressure you to bounce like a lunatic.

As Taake followers will assume, Et Hav av Avstand completely captures the essence of Bergen. This homespun album is majestic and lofty because the cliffs hanging above the fjords, the marine fantastic thing about which can be mirrored. Taake’s work at all times appears like a wonderful and romantic tribute to the Norwegian spirit in addition to the greatness of the nation’s landscapes, although sure sections might be as smoldering as California sunshine. Whereas remaining an innovator, Taake honors the previous.

Certainly, Et Hav av Avstand is a continuation of ’90s black steel custom in sure respects — Hoest based Taake as Thule in 1993 with fellow musician Svartulv, and the band adopted its present title in 1995. Taake shouldn’t be solely old-school within the sense that Hoest stays true to his historical past, but in addition insofar as Hoest incorporates rock and steel influences that pre-date the second wave of black steel. This document hits us with dazzling retro vibes and appears like a journey by the a long time.

Et Hav av Avstand moreover delivers an summary feeling of punk defiance, folks roots, bluesy coolness, and so forth. Finally, Hoest added the best quantity of progressive impulses. His experiments by no means dilute the music, which must be applauded for its iron-firm spine. Curiously, Et Hav av Avstand manages to return throughout as much more wayward than a whole lot of loopy avant-garde releases as a result of the music flows from an trustworthy place.

Bjørnar Erevik Nilsen produced, engineered, and combined the album. He did a unbelievable job certainly. Nilsen preserved the music’s rawness, character, and intimacy; Taake’s artwork is at all times distinguished by its exceptionally natural nature. Luckily, Nilsen’s work contributed to a product that sounds wholly skilled as properly. 

Sure, the victorious Et Hav av Avstand is sure to show timeless. It’s 100% Taake; it’s phenomenal! The purpose right here is that down the street, a lot of immediately’s excessive bands shall be forgotten, however individuals will at all times bear in mind Taake, Mayhem, and Darkthrone. Et Hav av Avstand shatters preconceptions and transcends the boundaries of language.

Taake’s Et Hav av Avstand comes out on September 1 through Darkish Essence Information. Pre-order your copy right here.