Fiende, a two-piece hailing from Norway follows the tradition of greats before them with their album Snart er Alt Glemt. Skaar, guitarist, bassist, vocals, and keyboardist, alongside Audun on drums, craft a masterwork that is sure to please many fans within the black metal genre. Both are no strangers to the scene but, manage to craft their own distinguished style here. Doom elements drip over every track without taking away from the raw aggression.

This four-track EP clocks in at about 20 minutes and shows a dichotomy between hard-driving riff work and melancholic intervals. Single and opening track Eldrich Fire is a solid starter that incorporates themes and tones one would expect from the genre. Skrømt is where their style shines through the best, a perfect blend between the drone of doom and a chaotic cacophony. The atmosphere is a fantastic hellscape that one wishes never to escape. There is a return to form on track Svovelpredikant which also has a certain flair of fun that keeps the listener engaged even through lulls. The closing track Ad Nekroplis is a personal favorite from the samples of bells to the ominous fade out.

If this is the start, it can only imply a more interesting progression in the future. This is an atmosphere that envelopes the listener and something that I would love to dive deeper into.

Check out their work on Bandcamp and support this debut EP. Until next time, hails or something.