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 Cold Northern Breeze Records

2024 releases

Norway has been, for decades, home for some of the best Black Metal to ever grace the Earth. Some might dare say that it is overrated, and that today it is nowhere near what it was in the late 80ies to early 90ies, and I must agree, to a certain extent. “Guidelines” were defined, sketches were drawn, the genre had a specific structure that had to be follow, until it was not. Norwegian Black Metal is a fantastic beast, a special entity, and if one takes the time to walk that path, surprises will arise. But today is not about the Past, but the Present. Cold Northern Breeze Records (CNB), a German label specialized in Black Metal, mostly Norwegian bands, has released a few records this year that deserve your attention, and I will guide you through all the releases.

We kick off with Draugenatt’s “Ljósálfar”, a Black Metal record that lives in melancholic lands fed by elements of Folk and Melodic Black Metal. The duo’s first record came out in 2018, and only this year the band decided to go ahead and release a second one. And what a good record it is: a simple rendition of Black Metal, yet a very honest one. When I started listening to the genre, I learned that you could find good music almost everywhere, and to this day I give lesser-known bands, and records, my attention, for quality might be hidden.

First, it is Norwegian, and the possibility of it being good, is very high; second, the atmosphere is very soothing, if that makes sense. Allow me to explain: the band has a very classic sound, a very classic approach to Black Metal, with the riffs, the vocals, the drums, and that is what I look for in Black Metal! I love the minimal approach to the genre! The guitar riffs remind you of the 90ies bands that had that almost Folkish element to them, a bit like what Taake did, and at time does, you can sense Norway in the music. At times, you get these slowed down moments, where the music slows down and the intensity rises! You feel it heavy, yet melodic!

If the music is good, there is no need to cover it up, or over do it. Simple, basic, straightforward. That is how Black Metal should sound, and Draugenatt delivers.

Two artists, alone with their instruments, perform a very truthful and authentic rendition to a genre that such an immense soul. Again, love the details they add to their music, going as far as melodic vocals and acoustic guitars. They do gift us with the best Black Metal has to offer.


Still in Norway, Vandaud, with “Vestland”, originally released in 2022, now reissued by CNB, and glad he did. Vandaud is another Norwegian Black Metal that presents us with a sound that is reminiscent of the old sound – and I truly believe it is hard for these musicians to “escape” such legacy – although I feel it a bit harsher. Still, the melodic chorus that really hit hard! Wow, this is amazing!

“Vestland” is the band’s second release after the 2018 Demo, “Ferdige”, and it shows a band, as mentioned above, has one foot in what the one that came before them release, yet their spectrum seems to be broader. We have plenty of melodic moments, guitar solos and almost operatic structures. However, the band does have a heavy side to them, and overall, it is heavy and aggressively constant throughout the EP.

Still… love the melodies. And this is something you can always find in Nordic Black Metal: there is always melodic moments that are very well-balanced with more aggressive ones. Vandaud does risk adding elements, small ones, to their music, giving it a more “modern” outlook. Hard to point out A or B, as in the end it sounds Norwegian, but Tulus and Taake fans will appreciate this, and you can add Enslaved fans, as there are some “different” things swirling around. As a whole: a very balanced Black Metal album.


Andakt’s “Ritual of Angzhar” is the record that follows, and although we are still in Norway, it sounds very different. Initially released in 2023, independently, CNB released in CD this year, and allowed a broader audience to have access to Savarak’s music. Again, different from the previous acts, and much closer to what the 90ies bands turned into when industrial sounds started to be integrated into Black Metal.

Honestly, I have never been able to "feel" this sound, so it is hard to have a based opinion, but if I can provide an honest opinion, it is hard for me to feel that both sounds are 2 pieces of 1 being, d’you know what I mean?! Mysticum did it, yes, and many others, but…

Nonetheless, you feel the power, the harsh vocal delivery, the cutting guitars. Fans of musical fusions might find this interesting, but I do not. Never been a fan of Industrial Rock or Extreme Metal, and this is no exception. But go ahead and give it a go.

COLD NORTHERN BREEZE RECORDS

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