#Ondfødt Oldfodt

Band: Ondfødt
Album: Oldfodt
Label: Black Lion Records
Release date: 05 April 2024
Country: Finland
Format reviewed: High-quality digital recording

A classy, short and sweet EP by Ondfødt. I knew what I was taking about when I said that Finland always manages to put out great bands. It must be the air or something… Going back to the topic, this year brought another release by the symphonic black metal masters, and although it is not as powerful as their full length efforts (which makes perfect sense because it’s an EP, like I’ve said), it still has that good old feeling of strength that listeners have become accustomed to from the band. The songs themselves are memorable, containing high paced, elegant riffs, that blend well with the groovy aspects of the record, the dramatic vocal performance, and the occasional synth infusions.

”Oldfodt” starts out with the ominous, dramatic Faensgyte. The track begins with an eerie ambient intro, that helps build anticipation for what there is to come, using the fusion of synth and various other sound effects. Soon, however, the atmosphere is suddently disrupted by an epic guitar riff and groovy drums, accompanied by screeching vocals roaming above the instrumental composition. The song is undoubtedly complex, carrying a wide variety of drum patterns and creative riffs, that, along with the high pitched, dramatic vocal performance, give this song an undoubtedly stormy feeling, as if you would have found yourself in the midst of a tornado, almost.

No Ere Jo Satan continues the previously established groovy feel of the music, yet emphasizing it even more in the case of this composition. It is mid paced, having a specific, headbanging quality to it that helps highlight its charisma and the feelings of power associated with the song. However, it lacks the complexity and structural integrity of the previous track. It is half the length of its predecessor, spanning just a little bit over two minutes, thus, it lacks any sort of buildup and climax. It is simply too short to have anything of importance going on, despite its catchy riffs and overall melody. All in all, it is, in my opinion, the weakest song on the EP.

Midnatt, however, brings about huge musical improvements, being even slightly better than Faenstyge. The music has a very catchy, march-like quality to it, that makes it feel almost cheerful, and more than surely uplifting, at least in the first section of the song. The second part of the song offers a change of scenery, offering a much more classic black metal take by the band, including blast beats, epic tremolo riffs, and a powerful vocal performance. The lead guitar segments easily take the spotlight, as they bring the melody to the forefront of the composition, thus giving the overall piece, a really complete, layered feel, that certainly adds to the appeal of it. The complexity and the thought put into the songwriting is, once again, undeniable, and I struggle to find this song any flaw.

Starting to close in on the end of the record there is Den Sanna. This particular track is the closest the band gets to a classic black metal song on this particular release. The riffs and drums still maintain their complexity, including various tempo changes and intricate passages, but the composition contains an overall darker, colder essence than what has been presented on the EP until then. It feels a little bit like a Dark Funeral song, but with a slightly less refined mood and sound, something you could perhaps, find on a Kvaen record, and I mean that in the best way possible.

Ending the EP, there is my favourite song on the whole record, Paradiset. If you thought the previous songs had a grandious feel to them, then get ready, because it all comes crashing down here, at the end, in the shape of one of the best songs I got to hear this year. The guitar riffs are epic, yet melancholic, the vocal performance is, of course, impeccable, emphasizing the emotions brought forth by the instrumental, with the drums galloping in the background, carrying the listener somewhere beyond, into the music itself. If the rest of the material may end up not leaving such a strong impression on you, then I assure you that this final song surely will. It brings all the previously shown musical motifs and ties them all together in what I can only describe as a grand finale.

”Oldfodt” is certainly not a flawless record. It may come off as rushed, a little unpolished at times, but in this slight roughness at the edges lies its beauty. The band isn’t trying to reach perfection. It simply exposes this melodies to us, and it is up to the judgement of every listener to decide in what way the music speaks to them. 8.5/10 Ioana

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8.5/10 To Greatness and Glory!
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