The first time I came across Gaahls Wyrd was back in 2022 as Saor opened for them on this tour. I attended the show in Martigny, Switzerland, in the notorious Caves du Manoir. What is particular about this venue is not only that it is underground but the way is stage is laid. The ceiling being low, the stage is also fairly low. One would think, like I did, that it is nice and it should allow the audience a better view. I quickly realised I was wrong when these giants from Norway walked on stage. I had to tilt my head backwards to actually see what was going on, and it resulted in a neck pain especially memorable as it was for once not due to headbanging. The second memory I have from this show were Gaahl’s skillful shrilling screams contrasting with his low mumblings and this melancholy.
This is why the first single “Braiding the Stories” had surprised me with such light chords, without displeasing me that much. I found it was an interesting contrast with Gaahl’s signature, this solemn tone. The track still keeps this energy, surely this ’90’s vibe the band talked about, despite this oneiric haze. The power is preserved and it is still very immersive. I usually blame masterings for being too blurry but this works brilliantly there. The way these layers and aspects intertwine and loose themselves contribute a lot. In a way, it could be a faithful representation of this interesting idiom.
“This Dream”, the first song of the album, introduced this oneiric/immaterial concept in a clear, unmistakable way. “Voices in my Head” bring a worrying aspect and is a perfect springboard to the best song of the album: “Time and Timeless Timeline”. I found it impossible not to headbang to this one. It’s storming and incredibly spellbinding with these growls and vocalises in the background, flying above like vultures. This track nourishes our hunger for heaviness and epicness but as intense as it is, it is cut short and brusquely.
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While this could be frustrating to be left hungry for more, it actually kept me eager for what was coming next and again, I found the title interesting and representative of the moment. Following up with “And the Now”, I think this restlessness is mostly self-generated though the rhythm of these clean chords helps, making it feel like a never-ending anticipation. And the wait is highly rewarded with this sumptuous crescendo with these heavy drums and a haunting whirlwind like sound in background. It es by different phases, different blocs and tempo, still delaying this wait, and when we’re finally in the moment, it becomes simply stunning. It’s yet another brilliant track. Gaahl said he wanted to release it as the first single but didn’t as he thought there were probably too much information. It’s probably true yet as for me, when I listen to this song alone, without the context set by the previous one, I have the feeling it’s a different track. Still a good one but it works so much better within the album as a whole.
The way everything makes sense and makes “the listener to fall into the album” is also thanks to interludes. “Through the Veil”, the third and last of the opus, would be the most classical one. Atmospheric but not ethereal. Sounded very black metal to me, even if it was stated that Braiding the Stories “isn’t black metal, death metal, or any other metal”. It is definitely part of the many influences Gaahls Wyrd navigates in this album, and it is definitely not a flaw. I think this ceremonial aspect announced perfectly the following “Visions and Time”. It’s an impressive ones, with haunting choirs and this loud, bass drum that I like. There’s a sudden break, as if from the low, heavy introduction we had raised above the clouds. And instead of going back and forth between this duality, bridges are built so that both sides and concepts mix up with brio, like a skilful compromise.
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After a quality yet somehow demanding listening, Braiding the Stories finishes on two tracks that sound more approachable. No introduction for “Root the Will”, just a straight guitar-led song strongly infused with these 80’s/90’s rock vibes. Strong rhythm, roaring vocals and cool solo while Gaahl’s Wyrd patterns and signature are never far away. Such directness is definitely refreshing. We’re back on the oniric side with “Flowing Starlight”, this time with really “vintage” keyboards. You like it or you don’t but it made sense to me in the way that many bands in black metal return one way or another to their early musical influences. And they do make it work by incorporating it to their material, thus giving it another dimension. “Flowing Starlight” is a super blend of it all and probably the most representative of Braiding the Stories. It’s onirical yet still dark and heavy, it has these never-boring haunting and piercing screams, a good rock solo and then a cinematic vision to close the opus.
Braiding the Stories is out on June 6th.
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Photos credits: Jorn Veberg
