Band Origin: Norway
Genre: Melodic Black Metal
Release Date: 2007
Album downloads only available to members
Album Info / Review
The Historical Weight: Out of the Ashes of Windir
To understand I Krig, one must understand Vreid’s origin. The band was formed by the surviving members of the legendary pitch-black folk metal band Windir after their frontman and mastermind, Valfar (Terje Bakken), tragically died of hypothermia in a blizzard in 2004.
Instead of continuing under the Windir name, bassist Hváll (Jarle Kvåle), drummer Steingrim, and guitarist Sture formed Vreid (which means “Wrath” in their local dialect). While their early work was trying to find a new identity, I Krig was the moment Vreid truly stepped out of Windir’s shadow to forge their own signature genre: “Black ‘n’ Roll.”
The Concept: The Poetry of War
What makes I Krig incredibly unique is its lyrical foundation. Rather than writing typical metal lyrics about violence, Hváll based the entire album on a 1946 collection of poems written by Gunnar Reiss-Andersen, a member of the Norwegian resistance movement during the Nazi occupation of Norway. The music serves as a dark sonic landscape to honor those poems, capturing the grim reality of occupation, sabotage, and survival in the freezing Norwegian mountains.
Musical Style & Characteristics:
Black ‘n’ Roll Production: The album perfectly blends the cold, tremolo-picked atmospheres of traditional Norwegian Second Wave Black Metal with the driving, groovy, and infectious rhythms of classic 1970s rock and thrash metal.
Grim Melodicism: The guitars possess a distinctively melancholic tone. The melodies are beautiful but wrapped in an oppressive, gray blanket of sadness and tension.
Aggressive, Clear Vocals: Sture’s harsh vocals are raspy and cutting, but delivered with a rhythmic cadence that emphasizes the poetic meter of the Norwegian lyrics.
Notable Tracks:
“Jarnbyrd” (Iron Burden)
The opening track sets an intense, marching pace. Driven by a heavy, pulsating bassline and sharp guitar riffs, it perfectly mimics the feeling of an advancing army and the weight of psychological oppression.
“I Krig” (In War)
The title track is a masterpiece of dynamic songwriting. It seamlessly shifts from high-velocity black metal blasting to slower, groove-laden sections that highlight the band’s stellar rock ‘n’ roll sensibilities.
“Under Isen” (Under the Ice)
A deeply atmospheric and chilling track. The melodies evoke the frozen Norwegian winter, building a sense of isolation and claustrophobia that perfectly mirrors the underground resistance fighters hiding in the wilderness.
“Søvnlause Netter” (Sleepless Nights)
A melancholic, mid-tempo song driven by fantastic melodic guitar leads. It captures the psychological torment and dread of war, making it an incredibly emotional highlight of the record.
Critical Reception & Legacy
The Breakthrough: I Krig was a major turning point for Vreid. It received universal acclaim from extreme metal critics who praised its historical depth and artistic maturity. It proved that the band had successfully moved past the tragedy of Windir to build a unique legacy of their own.
A Cultural Document: By using the poetry of Reiss-Andersen, Vreid created an album that transcended the standard tropes of metal music, turning the record into a piece of Norwegian historical storytelling.
Live Staple: To this day, songs from I Krig remain central fixtures in Vreid’s live setlists, embodying the raw energy and patriotic grimness of the Sogndal metal scene.
