Band: Walg
Album: V
Country: The Netherlands
Genre: Melodic Black Metal
Label: Zwaertgevegt
Released: 25th of May
Introduction
Robert Koning and Yorick Keijzer the Dutch duo behind Melodic black metal outfit Walg are back with their fifth offering. The band has been on a release spree since 2020 with putting out an album every year.
V
Tracklist:
- De vlinder en de dromer
- De adem van het einde
- Het vlees vergaat
- Het schimmen dialoog
- Daar waar stilte spreekt
- Zielsalleen
- Het pijnlichaam
- Ego-dood
- Galgenzucht
While listening to V, the fifth work of Walg, I got a feeling of coming home. There is a familiarity to it in the album and that’s not because it’s predictable, but Walg has held on to the path they set out on and stuck to what they do best. And in that consistency lies a strange feeling of comfort.
For the production, to me, this is a step up from the fourth album IV, that album was also produced by Merijn Middelweerd, but to my ears this sounds better, it’s difficult to pinpoint why that is. But I can say that everything is where it should be, the instruments don’t drown each other out and the vocals hold their ground without being too much into the front. Compared to the earlier releases I, II and III, this feels like a step-up and thus, for me, this is their best album so far.
The third track stood out most for me. It opens with a folk-infused atmosphere that lures you in gently, before the full weight of drums and guitars crashes down. It’s the quintessential Walg experience—melancholy, aggression, and atmosphere braided together into a form that’s instantly recognizable yet still potent.
Since the lyrics are in Dutch, I do understand them, but most of the time, I see the vocals as just another instrument and a part of the larger whole. The lyrics are well written and bonus points for the clean singing that actually sounds good. Too often black metal bands these days have clean singing in them while they can’t really sing (in my opinion) that isn’t the case now, though. The clean bits sound good and Robert can actually sing.
Conclusion
Walg delivered yet again a banger of an album. It hooks you in from the start and over the length of the album it will reel you in. As said, the production is a step-up for me (does not mean the others sounded bad, don’t get me wrong, this just sounds better to my ears).
I would recommend this album (and the previous ones) to anyone who likes proper executed Melodic Black Metal and to those that aren’t into that, I say, give this a try, you might like it.
BMZ rating: 9 – Excellent: This is a standout album with superb talent and creativity. It’s impactful, memorable, and likely to be celebrated within the black metal genre.
Support the band here: https://walg.bandcamp.com/album/v
Your thoughts on V
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