### Vattnet Viskar: Sky swallower

#### 03/09/13 || sincan

Once in a while a band releases a demo or EP or something creating an underground buzz that works as the typical avalanche, taking away all need for good PR or other enterprise forces. However not that often does an American band has a Swedish name. This however seems to be a good concept since it was the name which caught my attention and I must say that I found my eyebrows somewhere in my neck after seeing their origin.

Vattnet Viskar is from New Hampshire and released a superb EP back in 2012 with a really good North American earthy black metal sound. You know, like the other bands from that part of the world who has looked at the Scandinavian scene and out of that created something rather new by the inclusion of their own influences. And even though one might expect more of these kind of bands they are rather few and additions (if good) are more than welcome. As I said, the EP was superb, creating a huge fucking expectancy for what’s next. Did they live up to my expectations with this follow up, the first full-length record? It seems like the journey took a rather unexpected turn so grab your cup of coffee and shake of the morning dew because I will now be your guide for swallowing the sky.

The first thing that hit me from “Sky swallower” was the vocals being radically changed. First they are now placed much more prominent in the mix and secondly they’ve turned more into death metal grunts compared to the EP, reminding me of Mr Hägg’s (Amon Amarth) darker/lower vocals. It saddens me to say that this is not an improvement. Also the choice of the album opener “New alchemy” was a rather weird choice, at least I felt so in the beginning. This since the track starts very quickly, with the band’s new sound (clearer production, heavier bass etc.) and the vocals kicks in directly, thus made me rather confused. Expected coke, got Dr Pepper kind of. However as I got used to the new sound, the opening track was not an issue.

As far as I know Vattnet Viskar has got a lot of inspiration from the Nordic scene, however this is less prominent on this release and one can hear inspiration from much geographically closer bands, such as ISIS. Instead of the expected epicness (not as in “warriors standing on a mountain top with their fists in the air” epic) one finds in other American “forest” black metal were the atmosphere is rather intact, the listener now experiences much faster transitions into this and that during a track. It is quite obvious that the sludge and post-metal trend has infected Vattnet Viskar. So instead of the earlier “earthy” sound one often ends up in a rather grey industrial world, like the one Cult of Luna paints while releasing their sonic colors of minimalism. But the more American black metal typical riffs, are still present here and there, and the band hasn’t totally forgot about it’s origin. And it is these riffs in the background which I find the best on this album.

I’m very sure when I say that this new sound will reach a broader audience, the new influences comes from rather popular metal these days. There are no doubts about this being a very sophisticated and relatively fresh album but still it keeps me awake during nights. Why did they change track so abruptly. Didn’t they completely capture what they wanted with their EP, did a meteor hit the mastermind’s head, am I too good looking or did a signing to a large label somehow affect the outcome? As you see, the questions are many, and yet unanswered.

However one might think that I don’t appreciate this album and that is not correct, I do find it very good. This album will most likely fit perfect during cold autumn days.

- Information
- Released: 2013
- Label: Century Media Records
- Website: http://vattnetviskar.com
- Band
- Nicholas Thornbury: vocals, guitars
- Chris Alfieri: guitars
- Joey Perron: bass
- Seamus Menihane: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. New alchemy
- 02. Fog of apathy
- 03. Monarch
- 04. Breath of the almighty
- 05. Ascend
- 06. Mythos
- 07. As i stared into the sky
- 08. Apex