When you first put this album on, it sounds like a typical raw black metal band. Quasi-kvlt haunting keyboard intro, ending abruptly with blastbeats and rapidly strummed gloom chords. After the effects of the very beginning of the song wear off, the listener is able to listen more clearly. At this point, it should be obvious that this is hardly a darkthrone clone. The music is very progressive, each song consisting of a multitude of parts, many of which never repeat more than once. The singing is passionate, hateful, and bleak. The drumming is relentless (in fact, if you turn up the volume while in an enclosed space, it will sound as if a tremelo effect has been placed on the whole album due to the constant blast beats). The whole album is loaded with pretty melodies, none of which were played with a keyboard. And, best of all, you can tell the difference between songs! Each song is almost completely different, meaning there is a wide range of moods from song to song. Some are melancholic, some are fast and brutal, others are war songs. This album is a testament to how powerful black metal can be while still remaining true.
The Joyless side of the EP consists of 3 short tracks, the production on each being a reasonable if a little light. These are all very melodic quasi-pop tunes with just enough malice stirred in to mildly disturb the listener. Very good tunes but unfortunately the first couple of tracks appear to have been pressed only in the right channel (seems unlikely this would be deliberate). Still, interesting stuff from a band with a great evil twist on 'indie rock'. 80%
Flip the EP over and you have Uppgivet Hjarta (whatever that is), a much longer Woods of Infinity track clocking in at perhaps 6 minutes or so. Here folks we have what must surely be one of the most disturbing tracks ever committed to vinyl. The remarkable thing about this track is that it's a thing of mesmerizing yet appalling beauty. The spoken lyrics work extremely well in conveying a dispassionate and uncaring air (wish I knew what they meant - though the general gist becomes apparent soon enough). The song itself is again a long way from black metal of any sort, though it's the black metal malice that shines through once again. There's a great groove running through the track courtesy of some interesting bass harmonies which sound at times like they'd be more at home in a dub track than anything to sprout from the BM scene. The use of samples is simply fabulous too, and this is what really marks this track out as something truly remarkable. The first time I heard the mid section of the song I swear I must have blanched. I've heard a lot of disturbing experimental music over the years (Coil being one of the obvious masters) and what WoI have crafted here stands up against anything I've ever heard in terms of compelling atmosphere, sheer lurking horror and - yes - groove. Utterly essential for anyone interested in the more adventurous end of BM (and anyone interested in dark music full stop). Simply stunning. 100%.
