How often has primeval black metal been announced dead in the last 20 years? With their debut album, Ett Fjärran Kall (“A Call From Afar”), Sweden's Fornhem prove those predictions pointless. A hypnotizing journey in four chapters, Ett Fjärran Kall reflects the mysteries of life and death, of sacrifice, and wisdom, and of nature, all from a genuine Nordic perspective. The album will see an August 25th release via Trollmusic. New track “Úrdjupets Svärta” is streaming below.

Fornhem was established in 2013 with a desire to conjure up the mysteries of nature. While Fornhem members Vafthrudner (drums, vocals) and Solbane (guitars, bass, stringed instruments) undoubtedly owe a lot to the aesthetics originally crafted by the pioneers of Scandinavian black metal, they nevertheless create their own approach and style by interpreting influences from a broad spectrum of folk and rock music in a consciously minimal and almost hypnotizing way. The band's lyrics are in Swedish and inspired by history, Norse mythology, nature and Swedish poetry.

“Our aim is to make music that moves forward, even if it’s minimal and repetitive, and we think that adding something or making slight alterations in a riff or chord progression makes it come alive and breathe, so to speak, which would be the whole meaning of music-making", explains Vafthrudner. “Black metal in general is quite beautiful music behind all the layers of noise and we want to enhance that by using minimalism. Quieter moments or acoustic instruments create interesting dynamics that oppose the ‘wall of noise’.” 
 
Reflecting the folk aspect of Fornhem, Solbane adds: “I think folk music -- as well as metal -- has an inherent catchiness to it. It’s simple and direct music that comes from the heart. We are certainly influenced by a wide variety of Nordic folk and 70's and 80's classic hard rock and metal, but our main influence is old school black metal. Most notably Burzum, Darkthrone and Bathory."

Tracklisting:

“Ett Fjärran Kall”
“Kosmisk Dvala”
“Úrdjupets Svärta”
“Fornhem”

“Úrdjupets Svärta”: