Gudsforladt: Friendship, Love and War Album Review!
Gudsforladt Review:
I’ve been musing over Friendship, Love and War for quite some time. Contemplating what to say and watching/reading what many other reviewers have already stated. Gudsforladt is a hard one to tackle. It’s unique, blistering yet woeful, heartfelt, and relentless in delivery. An unheralded display of both primitive, folklore driven, and medieval passion infused black metal. A departure from the previous full length titled Guilt which was a more industrial/experimental sounding release.
Gudsforladt which stands for Godforsaken in Danish is a one individual black metal project from Los Angeles, California. California seems to be producing some notable black metal acts especially a personal favorite of mine Lamp of Murmuur. The USA and Canada are releasing some amazing modern wave black metal talent in general. Bands who upon first listen/glance you’d think they are European. The first time I heard Nächtlich I had no idea they were from Toronto, Canada or Klanen, a raw black metal outfit from Virginia.
One amazing melodic act originating from the Ukraine is Këkht Aräkh who have taken more melodic and Gothic sensibilities and put them on the forefront. Gudsforladt has taken melody, classic metal such as Iron Maiden and mixed them together nicely with more harsh and extreme sounds of black metal. Deeply rooted in medieval battles and the culture of that era you can hear embedded throughout Friendship, Love and War.
Quoted as being “righteous, pure and true black metal.” This release has really gobsmacked me and opened new doors to what black metal can be. The melody in the song structures is enthralling and pull you in. Those tortured screams still permeate, and the breakneck speed is a whirlwind of frenzied emotions. The sole member simply known as DM captivates with their inspired musicianship. Friendship, Love and War was produced by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air, a studio known more for producing hardcore/punk type acts. The production definitely aims for a more minimalist approach, so Friendship, Love and War still maintains that raw/rough edge sound wise.
Quoted from Gusforladt’s Bandcamp page:
A rider, burdened by a past which grows like a tumor inside of him, struggles against himself and loses – he chooses the rope. During what would be his last breath, he is instead given a second chance by forces beyond his comprehension, under the condition that he carries out a quest he thinks impossible. The rider flees, frightened of his own potential for greatness or for failure – but no matter how far he rides, destiny is not so easily dissuaded…
For better or worse, whether he wishes it or not, no man on this earth rides alone. We are all of us bound together, heart to heart and soul to soul — all of us bit players in stories bigger than we know – stories we have no hand in writing. This is one of those stories – a story of friendship, love and war.
Coming in at just under an hour Friendship, Love and War is an epic listen on all accounts. Stand out tracks are definitely the opener Ride Forever in the Shadow of the Mountain with its powerful burst of blazing blast beat filled energy and catchy energy. The Three Sights with its Slayer South of Heaven style opening and that memorable melodic tone at the end. Every track holds its own and remains better than the last. That amazing galloping part of Heads Bowed in Silent Prayer and the closing track Friendship, Love and War (Valinors Cannon) is a powerful monumentally metal way to go out.
Gudsforladt‘ Friendship, Love and War is where classical metal compositions meet raw ferocious black metal orchestrations. One of my personal favorites of 2022.
Album Info:
Band: Gudsforladt
Album: Friendship, Love and War
Members: DM (vocals, all instruments)
Recorded: Los Angeles, California
Year: 2022
Country: USA
Art: Lauren Taylor
Runtime: 54min 21sec
Label: Independent
Track Listing:
01. Ride Forever in the Shadow of the Mountain
02. The Tower of the Moon
03. The Three Sights
04. Instrumental Interlude I
05. Beyond Where They May Follow
06. Lands Eternal Taken
07. Lands Eternal Taken II
08. The Criminal and His Willing Sacrifice in Repentance
09. Instrumental Interlude II
10. Heads Bowed in Silent Prayer
11. Friendship, Love and War (Valinor’s Canon)
