Review: Hellveto - “Kry” (2009)
Whether or not you find Hellveto’s unique, orchestral approach to pagan metal appealing, one thing cannot be denied is the immense talent of this prolific Polish group. One-man projects seem to be a dime a dozen these days in black metal, but certainly I’ve never come across one that crafts metal as skillfully arranged and complex as multi-instrumentalist L.O.N. does on each Hellveto release. Kry, the band’s 13th album and second in 2009, features a dense sound composed of intricate percussion, guitars and various symphonic elements which play off one another and blend together seamlessly.
Kry’s mid-paced pagan metal is dominated by the somewhat subdued percussion, the various keyboard and string parts and L.O.N.’s harshly emotive vocals. Strangely, the guitars play kind of a supporting role in Hellveto’s music, often contributing driving, rhythmic riffs which propel the music while still managing to stay in the background for the most part. The production of the album isn’t terrible but it’s certainly not crystal clear, kind of dulling everything and melting the various elements of Hellveto’s sound even further into one another.
The overall effect achieved on Kry is a very ancient, spiritual ambience. Moreso than other ‘pagan metal’ bands, Hellveto’s music transports you to the dark, ancient past, largely as a result of the uniquely primeval atmosphere it creates. Compared to previous releases, Kry sounds a bit more mellow, which for me kind of enhances this effect. It also carries a very martial feel in several places, with its sparse orchestral textures and driving percussion. Some of the keyboard parts also flirt with a ghostly, high-pitched sound which reminds me of the X-Files theme, which might sound weird but really only served to further the haunting atmosphere of the album.
Needless to say, this is not your typical dark and hateful black metal album; Kry is much more contemplative and spiritual, but in my opinion no less rewarding. I’m not sure if this is Hellveto’s best album, but it’s pretty darn good.
