There's a particular brand of music that thrives in the dimly lit, often damp spaces where the raw energy of punk collides head-on with the unyielding ferocity of metal. It's a sound that speaks of rebellion, of a visceral need to dismantle the established order, but sometimes, you can't help but wish for a slightly more polished execution. This is precisely the territory that Rosa Faenskap navigates with their sophomore release, "Ingenting Forblir." Personally, I find this genre fascinating because it often feels like a direct response to the perceived inauthenticity in both mainstream music and, dare I say, even some more established underground scenes.
A Frostbitten Fusion
Rosa Faenskap operates within the realm of what I'd call Euro-Lefty-Black-Hardcore. It's a mouthful, I know, but it perfectly captures the essence of their sound: a potent blend of icy black metal atmosphere and the aggressive, in-your-face delivery of hardcore. In my opinion, what makes this particular fusion so compelling is the inherent tension it creates. You get the grim, frostbitten aesthetics often associated with black metal, but it's underpinned by a raw, immediate energy that feels decidedly hardcore. They manage to evoke the spirit of bands like Thurm and Svalbard, with occasional whispers of early Plebeian Grandstand, creating a soundscape that is both familiar and uniquely their own.
Emil Vestre's guitar work is a standout here. His tremolo leads are described as "jagged as they come," and I couldn't agree more. They crash and crackle, a perfect cacophony against Håvard Solli's snarling bass, which also handles vocal duties. There's a palpable sense of being right there in a cramped, damp basement, perhaps in Oslo, when you hear those "pre-breakdown chug and pick-scrape" moments in "Faenskap for alltid." Anders Jansvik's drumming is equally impactful, described as "big and booming." What this trio clearly doesn't lack is sheer, unadulterated energy. From my perspective, this raw power is the lifeblood of their sound.
Focused Fury
Despite being a relatively new act, "Ingenting Forblir" feels remarkably focused. This is something I always appreciate in a sophomore effort; it shows a band that has honed its vision. They hammer home their riffs with a relentless intensity, and before you know it, the track is over. Take "Den Svake Mannen," for instance. It rides a ringing arpeggio with such persistence that you can still feel its presence even when Vestre shifts to tremolo picking. Yet, I never felt disappointed when they returned to that initial riff halfway through. It's a testament to clever songwriting that keeps you engaged. "Faenskap for Alltid" initially leans into more straightforward black metal territory, executing familiar tremolo riffs with a panache that, in my opinion, rivals bands like Spectral Wound. But then, they shift gears, transforming from blackened to a bruising, stomping hardcore breakdown, relentlessly chanting "faenskap for alltid!" This dynamic shift is what makes the track so memorable.
The Sonic Canvas
What truly elevates "Ingenting Forblir" beyond just a collection of aggressive songs is its production. The band, in collaboration with Oskar Johnsen Ryd and Torfinn Sommerfeldt Lysne, has crafted a sound that is both live and livid, respecting the raw vitality of their material. This is crucial for a band like Rosa Faenskap; an overly polished sound would likely strip away their essential grit. My only minor quibble is that Jansvik's drums can sometimes get a bit buried in the mix during busier sections, perhaps due to a slightly muffled snare tone. However, even with a low-DR master, the record possesses a commendable dynamic range. When Vestre is left alone with his guitar, creating moments of quiet contemplation, you can feel yourself being drawn deeper into the album's atmosphere.
An Ambitious Farewell
The album closes with "Jeg Våkner Snart," and this track, in my view, represents Rosa Faenskap at their most ambitious and successful. It's a masterclass in layering, with tremolo leads weaving over gang vocals, then retreating into quiet, reverberating melody, only to erupt into a boiling conflagration of noise. For a sophomore record that's leaner and meaner than their debut, it's an absolutely perfect ending. "Ingenting Forblir" might not be breaking entirely new musical ground, but the sheer, sour determination of Rosa Faenskap is undeniable. It's a record that will undoubtedly find its way into my regular listening rotation. While I might not be ready for "faenskap for alltid" in my own life, I can certainly recommend "faenskap for lenge" – and "Ingenting Forblir" is a solid testament to that.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
