Kvad — So Old
Kvad is a one-man black metal band hailing from Oslo, Norway, consisting of Peregrinus (Darkest Bethlehem, Praefuro, Solus Grief, Unholy Craft). Back in 2022, Kvad were a duo, with Palisade (Darkest Bethlehe) on drums, but currently, Peregrinus goes solo. So Old is the band's second album
The album is characterized by an endless unholy dismal, grimness and aggressive stench, overflowing everything in it. Seven tracks, clocking to something less than an hour, engulfing chaotic yet crispy guitar riffs with glimpses of melody hidden under a carpet of brutal and hysteric electricity. Traditional passages of black epicness are dwelling within, surreal fragments go along, expected structures in composition, a fast yet suffocating pace, and a production sound which is glorifying Kvad’s craft as it should. The act is venturing on the same path as the likes of Watain, Deathspell Omega, Antaeus, Craft
The title, intentionally or not, summons aesthetics and practices that are solidly based on the primordial acts of the scene, but all the new elements that made the genre to evolve, are evidently here. Obviously, Kvad is not hailing any novelty, just pure honesty and determination. Peregrinus’ musicianship embraces perfection and his ideas are monolithic in form and highly detailed in execution. One is forcibly dragged into a cave where they will be mercilessly punched with Kvad’s melancholic obliteration.
The key thing about, Kvad and So Old is that it bears both the banners for contemporary and old-school Norwegian black metal....and it does so with great pride.