By Andrew Bansal
New Hampshire-based atmospheric/post/progressive black metal band Vattnet Viskar are ready to release their second full-length album ‘Settler’ on June 29 2015 via Century Media Records. They started out in 2010 and released a self-titled debut EP in 2012, but the 2013 debut full-length ‘Sky Swallower’ and subsequent touring garnered them widespread attention as one of the most promising modern flagbearers of extreme music. The new album serves as a great follow-up and an ideal step forward.
Keeping the format of the previous effort, ‘Settler’ comprises eight tracks, the band once again succeeding in efficiently expressing themselves within the 40-minute duration and heightening the impact of the music as a result. They start all guns blazing with the opening track ‘Dawnlands’ but present an appreciable degree of variety as the tune progresses, and continue to do so on every track. Upon listening to the album thoroughly, it’s clear that ‘Settler’ is more aggressive and dynamic than its predecessor, with a rawer, drier production approach.
Besides the atmospheric black metal which forms the core of the band’s sound, through this album Vattnet Viskar have expanded into a wider range of divere elements, such as the D-beat punk sprinklings in ‘Colony’ and ‘Impact’ and the doom undertones in ‘Yearn’ and ‘Glory’. But above all else, the entirety of the record is deocrated with beautiful guitar arrangements which serve as perfect links between the more aggressive segments. The overall vibe of ‘Settler’ certainly justifies the cover artwork, as it compels the listener to delve deep into its ocean of expression.
With the unveiling of this new release, Vattnet Viskar will continue to draw criticism and hate from the black metal purist community, but will strengthen their grip on supporters of modern progressive extreme music and will reach out to larger audiences in the foreseeable future.
Vattner Viskar’s ‘Settler’ is a throughly enjoyable journey through breathtaking sonic landscapes.
Rating: 8.5/10
Record Label: Century Media
Release Date: June 29th 2015
Track Listing:
1. Dawnlands
2. Colony
3. Yearn
4. Impact
5. Glory
6. Heirs
7. Settler
8. Coldwar
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