SLEGEST „Avstand”

Dark Essence Records, 20.01.2023

Music: Black’n’Roll / Balckened Doom Metal / Punk Black Metal
Website:
https://www.facebook.com/slegestofficial/
https://slegest.bandcamp.com/
Duration: 31:52 (8 tracks)
Country: Norway

From several years, there has been a trend of combining a dark and gloomy atmosphere (previously usually reserved for Metal music) with Country music or Rock’n’Roll… And just the gentlemen from Norwegian SLEGEST has been entered into this trend (dark Rock’n’Roll). They exists since 2010. The musicians of SLEGEST play on the side in various bands BOMBEKLÜCHTER, BÅÅÅV or VONBRÅTEN. And musical inspirations for SLEGEST are given by BLACK SABBATH, classic Heavy Metal and Heavy Rock from the 70’s and 80’s of the 20th century, as well as the roots of Black Metal (!)… creating a creation that I will call for the purposes of the review as Black’n’roll!

However, the music of SLEGEST is not about playing dizzying “black” speeds, inspired by fury, hysteria and rage, but rather the music prefer the medium-fast pace sometimes slowing down, but mostly dynamic and energetic, with a typical Rock’n’Roll claw.

Simply saying, “Avstand” is a mix of Ozzy’s BLACK SABBATH with MOTÖRHEAD, in which gloomy and simple melodies are combined with very motoric licks. However, some melodies are quite atmospheric and more spacious, but these are only short moments, because the most important thing is the dark Rock’n’Roll feeling with distorted, sharp and dirty guitar sounds. Even the bass sound is distorted at times.

Here, the simplicity and catchiness of the riffs form the music basis along with the characteristic Punk Rock punch. Also on the album we will hear Heavy Metal moments, sometimes even guitar Punk Rock themes, or even typical Black Metal riffs in the style of BURZUM.

And the whole is connected with this Rock’n’Roll feeling, which is confirmed by the last song, “Oh Baby”, which is a Punk-Rock’n’Roll cover of STATUS QUO.

The vocalist with his style of ripp of the throat resembles VENOM a bit, although sometimes he goes into typical Black Mmetal registers, and even sings darkly (just in the above-mentioned cover), or briefly and dynamically recites. And the lyrics, which he swashbucklingly shouts are inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche’s “The Birth of Tragedy”, which Black Metal fans will consider for a big plus.

The interesting element were the climatic melodies on the saxophone in the song “Gaate” (it’s a pity that it’s only one such episode).

The music, as befits Rock’n’Roll, stimulates movement, so it probably works well at concerts!

Tracklist:
1. Innsikt
2. Evigheit på evigheit
3. Forløysning og rus
4. Vinterkristus
5. Gåte
6. Er det deg livet?
7. Til det største som finst
8. Oh Baby (Status Quo cover)

Line-up:
Håvard Ese – bass
Stig Ese – guitar & vocal
Anders Christian – drums
Sør – guitar

Rate: 8.0/10