In positing their enduring interest in regional folkloric history and its darker deviations Gävleborg/Stockholm, Sweden-based black/folk metal quartet ÄNTERBILA commit to peering through the warped glass of sinister lens in developing their narrative for this sophomore full-length album. As a result ‘Avart‘ bears considerable teeth as it relays cursed fates and fables through menacing black metal grooves alongside a few tunefully oaken events. It is an ideal second record in this sense, refining their method while retaining their own purpose and personage alongside the rugged character of black metal.

Änterbila formed circa plagued year MMXX by the hands of (then) guitarist/bassist (now) guitarist/vocalist Jerff (Marauders), drummer Monstrum (ex-Infraction) and from that point each recording featured a different vocalist. Their style was probably too stripped back to pure to describe as pagan black metal and instead could be considered their own ratio of auld black metal and folk metal movements, typically in the form of ~4-5 minute songs. Their debut LP (‘Änterbila‘, 2022) was a seeming ode to the work that sustained life, built communities, and ultimately nation (in thier case, 18th/20th century Sweden) and despite a somewhat thin and distant sound it’d made a compelling case for itself at the tail-end of that year. I recall hitting the song “1704” in preview and getting the strong scent of early-to-mid 2000’s Taake in their intent and that’d been enough to take a closer look in brief review, suggesting strong use of restraint for a debut: “Simple means and effective work are key here, they’ve had an idea and executed it in a practical yet evocative result in a very clear and inspiring thread.” and as a result any expectations for this second LP naturally center around a more fleshed ouevre with a similar directness applied.

The clangor of Änterbila‘s vision for album number two is admirable in that it evokes a sort of live-in-studio approach suggested by an aim for single-take captures, a ruggedness which carries some immediate relevance to their first album. ‘Avart‘ is additionally layered in presentation yet still raw-cut and kinetically sharp in its action, a more accomplished listening experience with a similarly organic read on black metal in general. Beyond a notable shift to vocals for Jerff beyond 2022 they’ve also included Finnish guitarist P. Kerbs and bassist Svaltuna for these recordings and this lends a slightly different character to the rhythm section while their folken rummaging sustains. The thumping, diabolic black metal groove of opener “Ulven” communicates these traits in tandem with instrumental intro “Låt till Far” but the song most likely to catch ears out the gate is likely follow-up “Jordfäst”, where a sort of exclamatory punkish quality spikes within the song’s otherwise rambling blackened roll.

A band of history-minded blacksmiths who’re named for ship-boarding axe appear specifically built for a song like “Smeden” (re: “The Smith”) where they’ve suggested something like a Faustian pact stoking his forge fires in the song’s lyrics. The perspective of this album is suggested to have shifted from the devotee toward the Adversary himself, indicating a more malevolent, or, simply dark folkloric current running through the lyrics… though I’ve neither special access to their words nor the Swedish language to analyze any of it. The song is otherwise one of the shorter, simpler constructs on ‘Avart‘ which walks in line with much of the material found on ‘Änterbila‘, providing a similar moment as that of the aforementioned “1704”. While Side A‘s four pieces are generally ear-catching, energetic stuff as we pass on to Side B I’d found Änterbila were more completely in-the-pocket throughout the second half where slightly longer and increasingly forlorn songs glommed together. “Årsgång” is fittingly laborious in this sense but it is the droning ride through “Konung” which recalls the snarling folk-black groove of “Ulven” and, per my own experience, begins to tie together the larger tonal arc of the full listen.

‘Avart‘ isn’t a particularly long or all that involved spin at just ~33 minutes but it does feel as if some manner of conversation is had, or, a statement is made at face value which serves upgrade and refinement of what Änterbila‘d put forth in the past. From its initial dance around the pyre to the darker drone of its second half the full listen makes a strong argument for personage and style which suits the perceived subject matter while also cracking off a few pieces which nearly worm all the way into ear. That is to say I’d found it more memorable per points of style overall yet songcraft is clearly developing in their hands with each release. A fine follow-up and a worthy listen. A high recommendation.

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