Vemod - Demo 1998 DIGI-CD

Incredibly there were once two Norwegian BM bands trading under the name of Vemod. On second thoughts, perhaps that's no surprise since "vemod" is Norwegian for "sadness" or "melancholy" and depressive BM of one kind or another has always been with us for as long as black metal has existed. The band Vemod that hailed from Trondheim in central Norway released just one recording, a demo made in 1998; the band then faded out of view and nothing else is known of its activities after 1998, not even if it still exists.

For a short demo, this recording is actually an amazing sound immersion experience. The whole recording is an intensely emotional mini-opera of mind-boggling complexity with layer upon layer of music: sonorous church organ, dramatic keyboard melody and tone-wash backing, melancholy female choirs, spitfire lead guitar solos and anguished vocals are some attractions on offer. The actual BM is quite thin music with acid-shower tremolo guitars and hyperactive but feather-whippy synth drumming. As the vocals are somewhat far back in the mix and narrow in range, the weight of the music falls as much on keyboard accompaniment as it does on BM guitars and drums. With synthesisers and samplers plundering Hammond organ sounds, warm tone-wash and field recordings, the recording is as much Gothic opera as it is BM.

Listeners should hear the recording in one go with no interruption to appreciate how tension arising from one song can sustain itself and thrive in succeeding songs in spite of intra-track pauses. There seems to be a very definite linear narrative threaded through all tracks, suggesting something of a personal trial. Considerable reverb is applied to most instruments for a cold, creepy ambient effect while guitars remain sharp and insistent. A beautiful moment occurs about halfway through with a slow solemn doom beat, the organ melodies blaring out and competing for attention with the sharp spidery guitar solo, and a group of female choristers intoning in sorrow. A key change renders the song sadder again. The organ comes to dominate the track all the way through.

Amazing that in such a short demo, so much heightened drama and epic music can be found. There are moments where the music becomes almost transcendental though the plane of existence that it might cross into may not be a beneficent one. This surely adds to the mystique that must surround these guys: why did they just release the one recording to their name and not continue? This demo cannot possibly be the be-all and end-all of their entire career as a black metal act, can it?

1. Prelogue 01:39  
2. The Last of My Kind 05:33  
3. Vixi 06:34  
4. Vitium Vitae 03:57  
5. Epilogue 04:01  
6. Prelogue 01:39  
7. The Last of My Kind 05:33  
8. Vixi 06:34  
9. Vitium Vitae 03:57  
10. Epilogue 04:01