Wyrd, Häive, Kehrä – Wyrd / Epätoivon Vuoksi / The Sea / The Forest – 2011 – Black Metal / Folk (vinyl lp) MINT

Here's a fascinating piece of atmospheric black metal history that captures three distinct Nordic voices at their creative peaks. This 2011 Kreation Records pressing brings together Finland's Wyrd with fellow travelers Häive and Kehrä for a split that showcases the more contemplative, folk-influenced side of the Scandinavian extreme metal spectrum. Wyrd, the long-running project of Narqath, had been evolving from straightforward black metal into increasingly atmospheric territory by this point, and their contributions here represent some of their most accomplished songwriting. The interplay between harsh vocals and acoustic passages creates a compelling tension that runs throughout the release.

What makes this particular pressing noteworthy is how it documents a specific moment in the Finnish underground when these artists were pushing beyond traditional black metal boundaries. Häive's "Epätoivon Vuoksi" translates roughly to "Because of Despair," and their contribution lives up to that title with some genuinely haunting melodic work. Kehrä rounds out the trilogy with pieces that blur the line between dark ambient and metal entirely. Kreation Records did collectors a service by making this available to North American audiences, as these splits often remained Europe-only affairs. The US pressing maintains the excellent dynamics of the original recordings while offering that slightly warmer vinyl presentation that suits this material perfectly. For anyone mapping the evolution of atmospheric black metal in the early 2010s, this split represents an essential waypoint.

Retro Revolution Records – Halifax, Nova Scotia

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