Avant-garde/ black metal band Trelldom dropped Exit Existence as the next single from the legendary Norwegians’
About the band’s founder
Trelldom is the brainchild of Kristian Eivind Espedal, who is famous under his artist’s name Gaahl. The Norwegian became one of the leading figures of the Nordic black metal scene after joining the notorious Bergen outfit Gorgoroth in 1998. Gaahl is a versatile artist with a wide range of expression and interests. Among other projects, he also sang for and strongly influenced the course of Einar Selvik‘s Wardruna, for example. He participated in God Seed and in 2015 also launched his new band Gaahls Wyrd. Much to the delight of their die-hard fans, Gaahls Wyrd also performed Trelldom songs at their early shows. Furthermore, Kristian Eivind Espedal is also recognized as a painter, and has successfully worked as an actor both in theatre and movies.
If any notion is true about Gaahl, it is to always expect the unexpected. At this point, the new Trelldom album comes into focus. This band has already written black metal history. The band founded by Gaahl in Sunnfjord, Vestland in 1992 released the debut album Til evighet… (1995) to great acclaim in underground black metal circles. Having changed the lineup to include guitarist Valgard and Stian “Sir” Kårstad on bass, Trelldom unleashed their sophomore full-length Til et annet… in 1999. The legendary sound engineer Pytten produced this album at Grieghallen Studios in Bergen. Pytten also recorded the third milestone Til minne… (2007), which became highly regarded both by critics and fans.
About the band
One of the key aspects of Trelldom‘s first trilogy has always been that in his own band Gaahl was free of the strict limitations under which Gorgoroth operated. Therefore, he was able to explore his voice at will. With …by the shadows… the Norwegian artist breaks free from another mould. Returning after many years of dormancy, in which the musicians involved went on to work with several other projects, there is both continuity and change. The crucial collaboration with Stian Kårstad remains at the musical heart of the band. The by far the largest part of all songs on …by the shadows… has been created by Sir, who has also taken over all guitar duties.
Yet, Espedal has changed other aspects of the band, which created fascinating effects. Now, the renowned percussionist Kenneth Kapstad sits behind the drums. Kapstad also brought the internationally acclaimed jazz musician and saxophone player Kjetil Møster into the fold. Although Gaahl will always be the spiritus rector of the band, his hand-picked collaborators are essential in giving his vision physical shape and in turning ideas into sound.
On including the saxophone
The inclusion of Møster‘s unorthodox saxophone sounds are already an indication that the band is no longer shackled by the narrowest definition of black metal. The music on …by the shadows… does remain dark and fierce. It is also clearly still growing out of its roots in the black past. Yet, Espedal has willed his band into becoming a far more layered beast… Also, he set it free to roam in an avant-garde dimension. Indeed, with the dissonant sound at times, even turning towards the experimental. Instead of delivering a comfortable journey into nostalgia, Trelldom has challenged themselves and thrown a gauntlet to all preconceptions. Some will regard the fourth album as reckless, while others will note that it is fearless. Actually, both descriptions fit Gaahl and his collaborators well.
Trelldom has awakened from their slumber and …by the shadows… is a spirited manifesto for artistic freedom! As well as a grand declaration of war against nostalgic stagnation. This album poses a challenge that states: love it or leave it!