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# Review: Black Birch - Black Birch
- URL: https://blackmetalzine.com/review-black-birch-black-birch/
- Published: 2024-09-10T16:34:32.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-15T18:30:15.000Z
- Description: Swedish duo Black Birch comes forth with their full length debut. Lxw takes a closer listen to the enigmatic duos aural escapades here.
- Author: Lxw
- Tags: Reviews, Sweden, #rating-9, Atmospheric Black Metal, 2024

**Band:** Black Birch  
**Album:** Black Birch  
**Genre:** Atmospheric Black Metal  
**Country:** Sweden  
**Label:** Fiadh Productions  
**Released:** August 23rd 2024

![Black Birch](https://blackmetalzine.com/content/images/2025/11/black_birch_logo-4.jpg) 

## Introduction

After hearing just ten seconds into the first song, *Weak*, I knew I had to cover the entire album. When it begins I often ask myself, what is most conspicuous, as it tends to set the mood for the next couple of hours. Some bands goes for the epic 3 minute intro, some bands forgo it altogether and get right to the action, both of these ideas have merit, but neither is universally ideal. Here we know exactly what we’re in for and it’s in your face immediately. With a runtime of 1 hour and 6 minutes, I'll focus on a few standout tracks and share my overall thoughts.

## The album

**Tracklist:**

1. Weak
2. Fallen
3. Scour
4. Soil
5. Havoc
6. Wry
7. Prey
8. Death
9. Birth
10. Desolate
11. Torn
12. Lights

![](https://blackmetalzine.com/content/images/2025/11/black_birch_album-4.jpg)

**Tracks Two & Three:** *Fallen* and *Scour* are two standout tracks that complement each other while offering different experiences. *Fallen* builds on the atmosphere of *Weak*, starting with a somber, clean guitar intro that transitions into a cold, tremolo-picked riff over a relentlessly powerful drum groove. There are plenty of switch-ups in this one and many of them I interpreted as reflecting the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. I've listened to this one a **lot**.

*Scour*, meanwhile, takes that intensity and channels it into something epic. It’s a big, bold track that feels like a rallying cry, with a mix of emotions that never disappoint. The emo and shoegaze vibes add layers, making it a song that pulls you in and keeps you engaged as it unfolds.

## Bio

![](https://blackmetalzine.com/content/images/2025/11/black_birch_band-9.jpg)

The duo of Gina Wiklund from **Gasp**and Ulf Blomberg of **Palmless** formed **Black Birch**, blending their hardcore, crust punk, and post-metal roots with atmospheric black metal to create a distinctive sound. Both are incredibly skilled multi-instrumentalists, bringing a creative, emotional depth to their music. Ulf, who has spent years honing his craft as a producer at Sweden’s HoboRec studio, brings a polished yet raw edge to the production, allowing the band's sound to retain its intensity while exploring more progressive and atmospheric elements. Together, Gina and Ulf’s unique backgrounds and creative synergy make this album stand out, weaving themes of personal struggle, societal issues, and nature into their works.

## Back to the album

**Tracks Five, Seven, & Ten:** *Prey* stands out with its dark, gothic melody that threads through the entire song, creating an unnerving atmosphere. It’s one of my favorites structurally, the several well-crafted bridges kept me engaged. The song instills a sense of looming power that never lets up! *Havoc* opens with a dark and frightening intro, channeling pure evil. It blends post-hardcore (kind of) and emo (more so) influences with a progressive edge. This kind of structure, whether it's throughout a project or residing in one to two songs in the form of a bridge or something… it's depressing at times but a compelling musical experience.

*Desolate* breaks up the album’s intensity with eerie clean guitar parts and somber, haunting vocals. This song was unexpected but it was a welcomed surprise. The slower melody and the shift from sadness to acceptance *then* a maniacal tone creates a creepy atmosphere. At 4:20, the track plunges you back into chaos, with clean vocals buried in an instrumental section and from this I get a sense of fear and desperation.

**Favorite Song:** It’s a close call between *Fallen* and the final track, *Lights*. I ultimately decided against writing about *Lights* as it’s one you need to experience for yourself. I think it is the perfect closer, and that’s all I have to say.

## Conclusion

My first thought was that this album “sounds like the forest feels.” It is heavy, but blended well with an intensity and atmosphere that stands out. This is not an album that lays everything out neatly or sticks to one formula; however, it keeps you on edge, pulls you in with its unpredictability from track to track. There's something here for everyone. If I had to compare it I'd say it has the mystique and harshness of The Somberlain by Dissection while towing a line of structure and polish of something like Arson from Harakiri for the Sky.

**BMZ Rating: 9/10**

![](https://blackmetalzine.com/content/images/2025/11/9-out-of-10-4-171.gif)

**Support Black Birch here:** [https://blackbirch.bandcamp.com/album/black-birch-2](https://blackbirch.bandcamp.com/?fbclid=IwAR3mC4jkw-5pkvSN7T2RtauxcZQSCQorX8PECJsNiWcAL3V-%5Fm36sBy2x10&ref=blackmetalzine.com)

## What do you think of Black Birch

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