Album Review: Hellevaerder – Fakkeldrager
Band: Hellevaerder
Title: Fakkeldrager
Label: Zwaertgevegt (LP + MC), Void Wanderer Productions (CD + Merch) & War Productions (CD)
Release date: June 19th, 2025
Country: The Netherlands
Format reviewed: High quality digital recording
Album Review: Hellevaerder – Fakkeldrager via Zwaertgevegt (LP + MC), Void Wanderer Productions (CD + Merch) & War Productions (CD) by Consanguineus
The year 2025 has so far proven to be an exceptional one for the Dutch black metal scene. New albums by Shagor, Schavot, Asgrauw, and Grafjammer have each been met with strong critical acclaim each distinct in character, yet all deeply rooted in a tradition of dark, melancholic, and often ferocious black metal. And as if that weren’t enough, there’s still more to come: next month sees the release of Hellevaerder’s new album, brought forth through a promising collaboration between Zwaertgevegt, Void Wanderer, and War Productions.
Hellevaerder first emerged in 2018 with the demo Aan de aarde teruggegeven. At the time, the band operated as a trio: René Meijer, Daan Bleumink (also of Duindwaler), and the striking Miranda Visser, whose raw and impassioned vocals left a lasting impression from the very beginning. A handful of demos and a split release gradually built the band’s underground reputation, culminating in the long-awaited debut album In de Nevel van Afgunst in 2022 praised for its intense atmosphere, thematic depth, and strong compositional sense. The following year brought the ambitious split release Verloren Vertellingen, on which Hellevaerder joined forces with Asgrauw, Schavot, and Duindwaler a collaboration that underscored the solidarity within the Dutch scene while also showcasing the artistic versatility of each participating band.
Now, with Fakkeldragers, Hellevaerder opens a bold new chapter in their increasingly compelling body of work. The album expands upon the thematic lines established in earlier material while deepening and broadening its sonic palette. At its core lies the tale of the Torchbearer a mythical guardian of light who wages war against the worshippers of the void. It is a battle between hope and despair, between meaning and nihilism, echoing the existential undercurrents that have become so characteristic of Hellevaerder’s vision.
Musically, Fakkeldragers shifts between oppressive mid-tempo passages, relentless blast beats, and melodic guitar work that is equal parts mournful and combative. The band once again finds a balance between fury and introspection, between tradition and innovation.
With standout tracks like the defiant “Krijgers van het Licht” and the emotionally charged, near-theatrical “Handen Geketend in Ijzer”, Hellevaerder proves they are far from a one-trick pony. Rather than relying on familiar formulas, the band consciously pushes forward exploring and evolving with each release.
Each track carries its own atmosphere from all-out sonic assault to foreboding tension demonstrating a group steadily honing a layered and mature sound. The variation in tempo, dynamics, and thematic scope reveals a band that remains rooted in their genre’s essence, yet unafraid to challenge and reshape it.
This release signals not a plateau, but another stride in a journey of artistic growth that shows no signs of ending anytime soon. 9/10
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War Productions
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9/10 Epic Storm
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