Some figures in music cast a shadow over their work. Case in point; every black metal fan knows Gaahl. The Norwegian vocalist is best known for his work with Gorgoroth, and for his reputation offstage as the most terrifying hiker that there ever was, but how many of those who recognise him for his "...Satan" interview could tell you that before he achieved recognition with Gorgoroth, he was a member of the avant-garde black metal outfit Trelldom? Not only that, but despite his involvement with Wardruna and God Seed, Trelldom never actually broke up and released an album the same year the Gorgoroth lineup drama occurred. It would be another seventeen years until their next album, "...By The Shadows...," but fortunately, fans didn't have to wait anywhere near that long for the next record, "...By The Word..."

Right off the bat, Trelldom let the uninitiated know that this is not going to be an easy journey, as "When This Was Young" begins with a mostly ambient introduction for ninety seconds, with a slight Middle Eastern twang to the sound. It does pick up from there, though the vocals are barely audible and mostly spoken. While this is going on, there's an odd feeling that the track is snarling at the listener, warning them of the uncomfortable time that lies ahead. Surprisingly, for what is essentially a seven minute intro track, it doesn't become boring. It's not the most engaging piece on the record, but there's an odd quality that keeps it listenable.

The key word on this album is "interesting." Few tracks are fun, but most make the listener turn their heads and think, "I wonder where this is going." For example, the second track, "I Speak Forgotten Voices" grabs your ear for its resemblance to Celtic Frost, including the vocal approach. It stops shy of worshipping at the altar of the Swiss legends though with ideas of Trelldom's own, most notably the saxophone which takes the lead at points of the song. Elsewhere, "Folding The Mind," contains the most memorable vocals, thanks to the refrain, which punctuates the track with a slight but definite similarity to bands like Sisters Of Mercy. Meanwhile, there's an undercurrent of sixties psychedelic rock on "The Word - Choose To Vanish," and "This Monument The Life Of A Memory" provides a fascinating blend of black metal and jazz.

As mentioned, "...By The Word..." is a challenging listen at times. It's an album that does call the listener back, but more for the curiosity than the tunes themselves. In that sense, it's an excellent example of avant-garde art, in that one is continuously intrigued by the meanings, intentions and execution of the final result. That doesn't necessarily make for a great album though. Closing track, "In There Outside" begins very well with more mystery and choice decisions, but it does feel like a slightly mundane way to end the record. The title track also feels a little disappointing, though it's an immediate hurdle thanks to the stuttering drum beat and difficult guitar riff.

Ultimately, Trelldom has created an album that's more akin to a painting than a collection of songs. It's more interesting to examine than it is to listen to. Nonetheless, I would highly recommend "...By The Word..." to any black metal fan who likes things to be different, or to most metal fans who are looking for something a little out there. No doubt some will be drawn to the album just by Gaahl, and if you're expecting something along the lines of his work in Gorgoroth, I warn you now that you won't get what you hoped for. If anything, the vocalist is a lesser part of the overall machine, as it's guitarist Stian Kårstad and saxophone player Kjetil Møster who shine brightest here. Nonetheless, while I advise the average metal fan to approach with caution, you should still approach it, because it's an experience like few others.