Review by Rexorcist for Kvist - For kunsten maa vi evig vike (1996)

Yet another unfortunate tale of a clever and skillful metal band having only released one album, just like Weakling released Dead As Dreams and we never heard from them again.  Apparently, the people behind this album, Kvist, only managed to release one single 25 years after this album.  And the worst part?  We don't know a damn thing about the reasoning behind it all!  The band said nothing.  There is nothing.  It's blank.  There is no secret ingredient.  Thus, considering the shorter length and the melodic tag, I had a feeling I would like this even more, and be even more disappointed by the one-album-wonder status.

With just a noticeable amount of the fantasy synths and abnormal guitar tricks that make up dark metal albums like this, the band is able to play up the melodic side quite easily, no matter what mood they set up for their songs.  The vast majority of their rhythms are just as enchanting as they are intriguing, like I'm listening to an alternative soundtrack to The Dark Crystal.  Honestly should've listened to this when I was writing the first Nialoca book.  One of my favorite things about the album is how hard-hitting the percussions are.  There's a real force to them that's clear and not too loud but effective.  As well, there are just enough ventures into the symphonic side to occasionally spruce it up without feeling generic (although it DOES tend to recall Summoning occasionally).  And even though many of the songs are quite similar, nothing ever overstays its welcome.  So this ended up being a cool gem to add to the black metal catalog, one that will keep people begging for a second album, even if they have to beg God for time travel.

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