SCALD - Relics

“Master of Tundra” opens up with plenty of atmosphere and throws the listener back in time with their doom metal roots. Hrafn has a voice full of soul, strong and enduring. There is a depth and expressiveness to the vocals, “Ravens” and “Flame” going above and beyond with the higher notes. “Sokol” in particular, holds significance as a song of tribute, reverberating an out-pour of feelings.

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Harald and Karry show plenty of finesse in their riffing, playing off each other well in “Master of Tundra”. Velingor’s bass weaves within the riffs seamlessly, with notes in “Flame” that form a rich reverberation and a smooth intro in “Falcon.” Expressive guitar solos can be heard in “Ravens” and “Flame” and especially “Falcon”, full of atmosphere and feeling. The guitarwork is consistent throughout, making a very unimpeded doom listening experience.

Ottar’s drumwork is thunderous, a heartbeat throughout the album that brings life to each song and guides the way forward. For an EP like this, it is crucial, representing the heart that accompanies the soul. 

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Anton Levin provides playback that layers extra atmosphere, such as that in “Falcon/Sokol,” which is incredibly fitting. It aids to the epic soundscape and the ambience of Relics. “Falcon” was originally written by Agyl in pre-Scald times. Today, the band performed a cover in his memory, in both English and Agyl’s native language, Russian (“Sokol”). It is a heartfelt tribute to the late vocalist, Hrafn and the band give it their all and it is felt. 

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Together, Scald has crafted an earnest, epic doom metal experience that pays tribute to the past and its origins. It is full of life and feeling, celebrating the band’s history while creating a new chapter simultaneously. Relics is timeless, easy to connect to and feel the presence of Scald and their sound. 

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SCORE 9.5/10

Reviewed by GhostinthearmouR