IT WAS METAL UNTIL IT WASN'T // Dodheimsgard - Det Tomme Kalde Mørke // Composer Reaction & Analysis 

For me Dødheimsgard has been one the best acts coming from Norway since 1995 when I first heard them.

Yeah, Yusaf "Vicotnik" Parvez is a Norwegian black metal veteran, and involved with making the genre think outside the box since day one. Dodheimsgard (they use both names kind of interchangeably) started out the most orthodox, but pretty soon they were running away in a lot of weird directions, and he's also one of the creative heads behind Ved Buens Ende. This ends up being old school in its refusal to stay in one place creatively, though I'd say this is their most cohesive album so far. You reacted to a song from their previous album before that was perhaps more creative, but more all over the place at the same time. This is surprisingly intimate, and relaxing even. This touches all of DHG bases, too. They have some very, very weird phrasing that frequently feels like they're colouring outise the lines of the tempo (an older song, traces of reality, has a really wild phrase at the end that takes some 20 seconds to resolve and makes me doubtful there's even a begining and an end to that riff, do infinite it sounds), it has some groovy bass work, and it has a very strong classical influence. Quite likely my album of the year, and one of those albums I'd store in a hypothetical "black metal Bryan might genuinely like" folder. It gets a bit of a rough deal in this format, as it's really a poster child for "albums that take a few listens to fully click and absorb". So much detail.

My favourite band, the umbra omega is my also my favourite of them, fucking love all of their work, its so avant-garde and refreshing for black metal, all the little influences of classical, jazz, space rock, it's all so perfect. One of the most underrated bands of the scene, as a big black metal fan (more DSBM and Avant-garde) from portugal, i never heard anyone talk about them

it would be cool to see you do a reaction to the entire Dodheimsgard - 666 International album

Every DHG song/album is a trip on its own. Been in love since day 1 with them!!! 🖤

Dodheimsgard has always been one of the top black metal bands out there. 666 International was a masterpiece of its time. This album is so good too.

This album is fantastic. Such interesting sounds and atmospheres

"Til Dødheimsgard" is a reference and a nod to the origin of the band's name. Aldrahn wrote lyrics and sang on the first Dimmu album "For all tid" in the song "Over bleknede blåner til dommedag", where he sings "til Dødheimsgard"... Dødheimsgard doesn't actually mean anything, it's a made up word, composed of 3 : død is death, heim is home, and gard is also like home, but bigger. You can roughly translate it to "kingdom of death". Oh and btw, they've been using the DHG name on and off since the best part of 20 years. I believe Supervillain Outcast is already labeled DHG ;)

My album of the year, for sure. And always fun to hear your analysis!

You touched on why I’ve found myself gravitating towards black vs death metal. Don’t get me wrong, there’s some quality death metal out there, but it doesn’t jive with me. It’s a more “in your face” while black metal create something that surrounds and invites you in (very broadly speaking). That’s always why I love the “post-rock/post-metal” genres as well as ambient electronic. Glad you’re finding value in BM! Thanks for the review Bryan!

What a fantastic song. Thanks for your reaction

If your going to do some full album stuff in the future i would stronly suggest DHG - Supervillain Outcast. I'll promise you it will be a trip. Wonderful album and one of my all-time favorites 😊 thanks for all your videos!

Sweet gotta check out this album didn’t even know about it

Great song. DHG keeps delivering that weird black metal.

Loving the new interface

Last two DHG albums 10/10 🖤

Time for you to get into Vildhjarta, Bryan! Full albums only, no way you can appreciate the minutia without the greater picture.

Interesting music

31:05 time itself is not immune to being critically analyzed by bryan is nothing sacred?!

Black metal done by celestials.

New album is fantastic. But it was disappointingly tame in comparison to their other work. You wouldn't believe the rhythms their old drummer, Czral, would push out. The electronics they experimented with broke down barriers in the black metal scene. People keep bringing up 666 International and for good reason. It's the most disorienting BM album I've ever heard. DHG has only put out an album every 7 years or so since 1999. Vikotnik, the only constant member, has been left to some of the devices you were pointing out; leaving DHG to become mostly his own poject with band members being secondary to his vision. Over time, their sound has been trading in an emphasis on chaotically abusing texture and rhythms for atmosphere and melody as many extreme metal artists eventually do. And while I do enjoy their sound still, I think both Vikotnik and I are in mourning for DHG's heyday of dropping tons of acid, committing crimes, and having a plethora of insane talent to collaborate with on the cutting edge of extreme experimental music.