Band: Taake
Album: En Skog Av Nidstang
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Norway
Label: Dark Essence Records
Released: 31st July 2026
Introduction
Longtime legends of the Norwegian black metal scene since 1995, Taake really don’t need an introduction. Hoest is back with a brand new album, three years after Et Hav Av Avstand which was yet another stellar entry into the immaculate discography.
En Skog av Nidstang
Tracklisting:
- Einstoeingen og Eg
- Et Dyr tok min Hud
- Engler
- Av Guds ville Naade
Clocking in at just over 36 minutes long it feels like there is no time to waste on this album as we are thrown into the beautiful tremolo riffs of Einstoeingen og Eg. A 10 minute long behemoth that doesn’t hold back, incorporating elements from the best of black metal blending together all sorts of different styles.
Deathspell Omega style discordant guitars, Khold style grooviness and nineties-era Darkthrone rawness amalgamate into one powerful harmonious tune in true Taake fashion. Hoest is back, and he wants you to know it.
There’s a bit towards the end of the first track where the distorted guitar maintains the grittiness to it whilst the clean notes serve as undertones peaking their way through the muddiness, with subtle reverb to help them pierce through. Then over it all, a guitar solo finishes us off, fading out to only tease us of what could have gone on for much longer without overstaying its welcome.
Engler may just be my favourite track off this album, it is deeply atmospheric, championing a certain coldness to it all. The drums pound away with a heavy force but breakthrough but bleak and frosty blend that is the vocals in guitars.
Though it does appear to have an homage to the Addams family theme during it, no subtlety about it with the accompanying recognisable finger snaps. So I suppose you could fairly call that section creepy and kooky (or mysterious and spooky).
I also can’t not mention Bjørnar Nilsen (Vulture Industries, Black Hole Generator) is back once again behind the mixing desk, recording and producing this album which always means you’re in for a good time. His clean vocals also so very briefly shine through on Engler, emanating a melody similar to Tyrants Weep Alone off the last Vulture Industries album - not the first time he’s had a guest appearance over the microphone on a Taake album.
Speaking of vocal work, Hoest barks through the commotion with such ferocity and his howls remain so strong, enduring even thirty years into the band's longevity.
The final track is just hypnotic, the guitars mantra like repetitiveness mesmerise you feeling like you could be taken off to a different plane of existence as it envelops you. Broken up with the heart-wrenching screams and groans in the left channel whilst the enthralling notes keep going to drown it out, commanding a presence as to not be disrupted.
Conclusion
Taake has managed to maintain a fresh sounding black metal album, whilst retreading a lot of the same familiar territory that you may be used to from prior albums. It’s a reason this band is a staple of the genre, every album has Hoest’s recognisable habitual flair to it but never feels boring or too mundane.
BMZ Rating: 8.5/10
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