Track By Tracks: SVARTFJELL - I, The Destroyer (2024)

I, the Destroyer, the debut offering from Svartfjell, has two core themes running through its nearly 1-hour runtime. Though not a concept album, almost every song is touched by these core themes, either directly or indirectly. First is the concept of rebirth through destruction; Tearing down the old to create fertile ground for new growth. The second concept is self-actualization and self-overcoming. Instead of living life in a state of inertia, it focuses on becoming stronger, overcoming ones own obstacles and trappings to become the best one can be. Below, I will delve into each song with a little more detail:

1. I, the Destroyer:

I, the Destroyer is the opening track, and it hits hard with a wall of screams, guitars, and drums. The album begins by wiping the slate clean of all the atrocities, shortcomings, and failures of humankind through the means of cataclysm, whereupon nature can reclaim its hold on the earth and start anew. Though this is aimed far and wide across humanity as a whole, it can also be viewed introspectively, by myself the writer, or by the listener. Metaphorically destroying themselves to rid themselves of their worst traits so that they can begin a new chapter in life.

I, the Destroyer is the fastest track on the album straight from the moment you press play. I am extremely proud of the drums and guitar work on this track, especially the arpeggios and tremolo sections in the slower mid-section before the outro drops back in with pure vengeance. There is a lot of venom in this song, as heard in the snarled vocals, and it is an extremely cathartic track to listen to.

2. Will to Power I: Courage:

The first in a trilogy of songs based upon my interpretation of the concept of the Will to Power, by Frederich Nietzsche.

Though I agree with the idea that the Will to Power is an inherent trait in many humans (but not all), I also believe it can be consciously applied to one's own life or embraced as a way to achieve self-overcoming. I feel Courage is the first step on the path to self-actualization and self-improvement; Understanding and confronting the reality that one has to face difficult obstacles and overcome them even if this causes hardship. Fate is not in control of one's actions, and though there will be pain, this is but a means to spur oneself on to the next challenge.

This is a song of two halves – Melodic arpeggios, lead lines, and rolling drum fills interspersed with frantic walls of guitar and bass over blast beats and double kicks. This track is full of incredible riffs and has some of the heaviest moments of the album in it, and I never tire of hearing or playing them.

3. Black Mountain:

Black Mountain; is the 8-minute epic of the album and it is relentless from start to finish. Black Mountain focuses on moving forward, and the difficult journey to building one's legacy. Many strive for greatness, and give up or sabotage themselves; “One by one they throw themselves to the rocks below”. Knowledge, creativity, courage, and strength... are virtues to strive for and cherish, and though one can never know where they may end up on the lifelong path they're forced upon from birth, I feel the journey to pursue these things is paramount.

This track is riff after riff after riff. Though firmly rooted in Black Metal territory, you can hear the old-school Death Metal influences loud and clear during the verses, before a vicious mid-section and a slow, crushing Doom-laden outro. I am extremely proud of this track!

4. The Evernight:

A more introspective track, The Evernight addresses the feelings left behind after creating art that no longer resonates with the artist, before then finding new meaning in the pursuit of another creative endeavor.

As life changes, so do we, and though we may one day retread the ground we once walked, we must also hold our heads high and forge onwards with pride in what we have achieved. All experiences are crucial in the development and growth of us as individuals. This is another track that is relentless from start to finish. I would say this was the most challenging song to record, as there are so many layers, with three guitar tracks doing separate riffs at the same time, layers of keyboards, and howled vocals, all over the top of the almost non-stop double kick. Though extremely chaotic at times, I feel this is one of the most melodic tracks on the album, and I cannot describe how proud I am of the last few minutes.

5. A Mournful Setting Sun:

A Mournful Setting Sun is a metaphorical look at mortality. As humans, we all experience loss, and must also face the reality that we too will one day die. In our lifetime, however, and the lifetime of many generations to come, the sun will continue to rise at dawn and fall at dusk. This too will one day come to an end, and the thought of this is unfathomable to me and resonates in a very special way. A Mournful Setting Sun was the first track written for I, the Destroyer, and has evolved quite significantly from the original demo I recorded in October 2023. This track is entirely built around great guitar riffs working in tandem with the drums, and I cannot physically play this song without banging my head.

6. Will to Power II: Strength:

The second track in the Will to Power trilogy, Strength addresses the duality we all face when beginning to embrace ourselves and choose growth and power over senescence and inertia. It is easy to be the last man, to seek comfort in mundanity, and as a result, drift through life aimlessly. To embrace one's potential and pursue it takes strength, courage, and determination, and though we may encounter many obstacles in life, the biggest obstacle is oneself. The compulsion to give up, and to choose the easy path is a constant that must be fought tooth and nail if one wants to truly be their best self. Strength is written in a much more traditional way than the rest of the album, as a homage to the Heavy Metal gods of old. There are some great guitar lines and riffs in this song, as well as some great bass lines. I feel there is a distinct late '90s/Early 2000s feel to this track, which I cannot quite put my finger on, but Strength embraced this and ran with it.

7. A Fire to Light the Skies:

A Fire to Light the Skies is the most personal song on the album, which also has roots within the concept of the will to power. This song however is more self-reflective than the Will to Power trilogy, which I view in relation to humankind as a whole. A Fire to Light the Skies is founded on the personal belief and practice of turning depression, anxiety, and hardships into fuel to feed creativity, and by extension, have them act as a catalyst for self-improvement. As with Will to Power: Strength, this track recognizes that we are our own worst enemy, and we can eat ourselves whole if we do not fight. Do not succumb to the darkness and pain, and instead raise a fire so bright it lights the skies.

A Fire to Light the Skies is a very dark song, both tonally, aurally and in it's structure. Laced with arpeggios, growling hypnotic rhythm guitars and bass and some of the heaviest riffs on the album, this track is everything I love about extreme metal and is a very personal track for me.

8. Will to Power III: Spirit:

The final track of the album, and also the final part of the Will to Power trilogy, Spirit is the hope that at the end of life, one can look back with pride at what they have achieved in the knowledge that they have not only lived the best life they could and became the best they can be, but their actions or creations on earth are now timeless, and will live on indefinitely beyond their mortality.

Closing the album, Spirit has some of my favourite guitar leads and harmonies, and has an almost meditative quality. This track is by far the most melodic on the album, and even now after hearing it more times than I count, it stills makes the hairs stand up on my neck. You can't get better than that.