Walg – IV

According to me, the entire extreme metal scene in the Netherlands, Belgium, and likely beyond, has eagerly awaited this album. The melodic, symphonic black metal duo par excellence, Walg, is back with their album IV. It is a logical continuation of I, II, and, of course, III. Since their inception, these two gentlemen have consistently delivered top tier melodic, symphonic black metal. You could easily call the band, in my humble opinion, the Old Man’s Child of the Low Lands. Once again, fantastic artwork and fantastic music. Look at those titles! It seems as if the Dutch language is inexhaustible in describing the misery of each of us. I’m not even desperate about it. The album was set to release on 24-04-2024, how symbolic.

I don’t know, at the time of receiving the promo, in which formats this album will be released besides digital, but it can hardly be otherwise that, after the success of the previous three albums that ranked very high in the Zware Metalen year-end list, there will be something for everyone. I mention, in addition to the CD, the obligatory tape, and yes, even the vinyl. Could it be that there will also be a vinyl version of the previous three albums at some point? That would be a goddamnlordjesussatan’schild-like great gift! But well, no dreams. It seems like torture only to read about it and not be able to listen to this new album.

Come on, wipe the sleep from your eyes, the sand grains from the corners of your eyes, and we’re off for ten melodic black metal gems. In a calm, contemplative manner, in a way that takes me to French bistros on a sparsely populated, rain-soaked square, Als Een Korrel Zand starts. The gentlemen have always been masters at writing melodies that cut to the bone. They redo it a few times thinly but mostly thickly on this latest album. The delightful, evil roarrrrrring throat sounds of the gentlemen are also superhuman level once again. Foltering, a track we’ve already heard, mixes the typical Walg elements I just mentioned. Lovely layered vocals, piercing themes mixed with the necessary breaks and tempo changes!

The gentlemen have, of course, further developed musically. Compared to previous works, I notice, alongside some minimal production differences, a few other elements have been incorporated. These sound particularly fresh and innovative. Am I wrong if I occasionally feel a somewhat Mediterranean feeling bubbling up? Geen Einde In Zicht is such a track with a very pleasant, almost waltzing finale, achieved through the use of a mandolin, accordion, and violin? Did I say Old Man’s Child? Listen to Vuurdoop. A track that perfectly bridges with previous work because it harbors, in the first measures, sounds we have heard before… Bring The Apocalypse!

IV by the Dutch Walg is, indeed, and not entirely surprisingly, a magisterial melodic, symphonic black metal masterpiece. I think no band in this subgenre in the wider vicinity can dethrone Walg from the throne! Masterful! Unprecedented! Disgustingly good again! There is no end in sight! On to V.

Score:

95/100

Label:

Eigen Beheer, 2024

Tracklisting:

1. Als Een Korrel Zand
2. Foltering
3. Geen Einde In Zicht
4. Kringloop Van Zelfhaat
5. Ongezien
6. Radeloos
7. Speel Met Mij
8. Vuurdoop
9. Wanneer Het Glas Breekt
10. Schijnsel Van De Ziel

Line-up:

• Yorick Keijzer – Vocals
• Robert Koning – Vocals, All Instrumenten