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FROZEN OCEAN – ASKDRÖMMAR
Available Now via APOCALYPTIC WITCHCRAFT - FROZEN OCEAN is the exciting solo project of multi-instrumentalist Vaarwel from Moscow, whose work has spanned two decades of constant evolution. Throughout this time, the project has yielded numerous full-length albums and EPs, yet the period between 2015 and 2026 saw an absence of new studio albums—a silence now broken by "Askdrömmar". Originally formed in 2005 as an atmospheric black metal group, FROZEN OCEAN soon grew beyond the confinements of any single genre. Vaarwel’s approach has always been about exploring, shifting between different styles while preserving his distinctive sonic identity that holds the entire catalog together. This versatility is clearly shown in the project’s amazing discography. The raw, uncompromising black metal of "Likegyldig Raseri" (2011), "Vanviddsang" (2013), and "Natt Over Meg" (2013) stands in stark contrast to the droning ambient textures of "Aokigahara" (2011) and "Oneiric in Geocentricism" (2011), as well as the electronic experimentation found on Trollvinter (2013). Despite these stylistic shifts, a persistent atmospheric thread runs through every release, giving FROZEN OCEAN a cohesive artistic character. With the album "Askdrömmar", Vaarwel revisits his atmospheric foundation with a new clarity. The album leans into melodic black metal while combining ambient, electronic, and industrial elements, creating a layered and also immersive soundscape. The result is an album that feels both familiar and also fresh and newly inspired, showing once again FROZEN OCEAN’s ability to evolve without losing their essence.
"Askdrömmar" opens up as a deep and atmospheric work that follows along the paths of melodic black metal, while seamlessly including layers of ambient, electronic, and subtle industrial textures. The album’s nine tracks are bound together by a strong sense of mood and imagery that becomes apparent the moment one looks at the cover artwork. There is an immediate visual and emotional connection between what is seen and what is heard. Each composition feels like the score to a solitary nighttime drive through a vast, illuminated cityscape. The music has a sense of motion, reflection, and quiet intensity, as if we, the listener were moving through streets covered in artificial light and shadow. Interestingly, if looking past the Swedish lyrics, the sound does not summon images of Sweden itself, and neither does it recall Russia , the group's place of origin. Instead, a different setting comes to mind: a big city of towering buildings, endless and blinding neon lights, and millions of people flowing through the streets. The album captures that strange blend of nostalgia, melancholy, and fascination that such an urban landscape can inspire, turning the listening experience into a cinematic journey. With the visual and atmospheric framework of the album, firmly established, the music shows itself as a carefully placed extension of the setting. The vocals still retain their roots in black-metal, harsh and expressive and hard, they function more as an emotional texture than a dominant focal point. What truly sets the album apart, is how far the music reaches beyond traditional genre limits, weaving together melancholy, melody, and very subtle experimentation into a cohesive acoustic narrative. A deep, lingering sense of wistfulness permeates many of the tracks. 'Bortkastade dödsrunor', shows returning guitar riffs that create a circular, almost trance-like motion that pulls the listener in, reinforcing the reflective tone of this musical piece. In contrast, the song 'Andas in neonregn', brings the melodic black metal element more to the surface with a little more force, so sharper riffs and clearer melodic lines intensify the emotional impact without breaking the album’s flow.
Keyboards and electronic elements do play an important role in defining the record’s character. In 'I lyktornas sken' for example, they introduce a slight and tender progressive undertone, adding depth while maintaining the immersive continuity that makes the album's foundation. The pacing throughout "Askdrömmar" is noteworthy: the tempos rise and fall with purpose, yet always remain within a restrained spectrum that protects the fragile atmosphere Vaarwel constructs with such care. Interspersed spoken passages further enhance the album’s cinematic and narrative quality. Although listeners unfamiliar with Swedish may not grasp the literal meaning of these segments, their presence contributes significantly to the introspective mood and reinforces the sense that "Askdrömmar" unfolds like a personal journey into yourself, rather than a collection of standalone songs. Atmospheric, dark and beautiful-or perhaps more precisely, beautifully strange-"Askdrömmar" is an album that demands attention and patience. It is the product of meticulous craftsmanship, with every sound carefully placed to create a cohesive yet multifaceted listening experience. From the very first note, it immerses the listener in a world that is at once melancholic, reflective, and a bit unsettling, yet never loses its sense of strange beauty.
The strength of "Askdrömmar" lies in the variety : melodic Black Metal riffs intertwine with ambient/electronic elements, and industrial undertones, forming a rich, layered sound that continually surprises and engages. While it may not be accessible on the getgo for fans of the more traditional or straightforward metal, those who give it a chance and listen to it ' with an open mind, will be rewarded with a profound and cinematic journey. Every track carries its own emotional weight, balancing introspection with intensity, and the subtle interplay of keyboards, guitar motifs, and vocals creates a sense of space and depth rarely achieved in contemporary Black Metal. 'Askdrömmar' is not merely an album to hear—it is an experience to inhabit, a dreamlike exploration of atmosphere, mood, and sound that lingers long after the final note fades.
SCORE 8/10
REVIEW BY SWAMPY