There is at least one good reason (but it's not the only one) to take an interest in Skräcken: the band marks the return of Sofie-Lee Johansson. Since Exterminator (2017), the second and final album by Night Viper, led by guitarist Tom Sutton (formerly of many bands, including Horisont and Church Of Misery), we had unfortunately heard nothing from this true priestess of heavy metal. Finally being able to hear her powerful yet melancholic voice on a new album is enough to increase the added value of this young Swedish quartet, where she is well accompanied by Dead Lord bassist (and former Lucifer member) Martin Nordin on guitar. After a short EP (“The Presence”) three years ago, which left us wanting more (inevitably) but was nevertheless promising, “Echoes From The Void” is the album we've all been waiting for far too long.
As the titles of the tracks and the album cover suggest, Skräcken develops a fantastical theme born from the appearance of an old lady from the 18th century during sleep paralysis, which dictates a universe full of mystery and a ghostly atmosphere that forms the ideal backdrop for Sofie-Lee's haunting and tragic vocals. Indeed, unlike many metal queens who scream their hearts out, often excessively so, the Scandinavian singer emphasizes emotion and a certain melancholy, which does not prevent her from displaying undeniable strength. It goes without saying that “Echoes From The Void” owes a lot to her; she is its cornerstone, seductive and dramatic, sharp and dark. Her presence, imbued with a Victorian gothic style, infuses songs whose creeping features (“By His Word”) anchor them more to occult hard rock with doom undertones than to pure heavy metal.
Despite a few rare, slightly faster, if not catchy, moments (“Sweet Silence”), albeit always tinged with sadness (“House Of Greed”), the album as a whole favors dark atmospheres and haunting melodies, which even push it, in the case of the final track “Wasteland” and its almost nine minutes, onto an almost progressive path, with the most tragic effect. Sofie-Lee's performance is deeply moving, as it is throughout the rest of the album. Her companions are not to be outdone, however, doing a superb job in terms of harmonies, melodies, and blazing rhythms, as perfectly demonstrated by a track such as “Witch,” with its haunting delicacy.
Dark and refined, “Echoes From The Void” lives up to the promise raised by the presence of the remarkable singer Sofie-Lee Johansson, who embodies its emotional and haunting backbone. We can't wait for more!