Simon Rushworth
Vattnet Viskar – Settler (Century Media)
Genre: Black metal/Post Rock
With 2013’s debut, Sky Swallower, Vattnet Viskar announced their arrival in the extreme metal world in some style, mixing black metal with the post rock of say, Isis and Neurosis to stunning effect.
Settler, though, takes their distinctive sound up a notch: it’s more focused, the writing has substantially improved and every track stands out in its own right. There’s no filler, nothing on this record drags or feels like an afterthought. Perhaps the influence of underground über producer Sanford Parker played a part, perhaps it’s just that the US quartet have had time to reflect and mature. Whatever the reason, the result is songs like the magnificent Impact, one of the most emotionally charged BM tracks you’ll hear all year, and the phenomenal closer, Coldwar, where the transition from mellower, melodic passages to harsher territory is simply sublime.
Put simply, Vattnet Viskar have realised their musical vision on Settler… and anyone with an interest in extreme music should be very excited that they have. Richard Holmes
RUSHONROCK RATED: 9/10 Settling In