Metal Underground.com

There has been a huge influx of stoner/doom bands lately, so it's quite easy to overlook one or two gems that you may have missed. Svölk’s sophomore full-length LP “Svölk ‘Em All” (which is actually a re-issue of the band’s 2009 self-titled, self-released debut) is one of those overlooked 2011 gems. What this band manages to do is combine stoner/doom, southern rock, traditional metal, a touch of fuzz bass and the riffs of Kyuss. The band calls this unique style “bear metal.” It’s a foot tapping, head banging great listen.

Loosely following in the footsteps of country mates Lonely Kamel, Norway’s Svölk has a much clearer, much heavier sound than the former. The riffs of Martin Østerhaug hit you on the jaw at the same time his groove laden hooks land a nasty upper cut. Check out “Anchor,” which not only has both, but for a split second on the chorus the twin harmony guitar is Maiden-esque. Knut Erik Solhaug’s vocals are raw in-your-face with a touch of Glenn Danzig and Keith Caputo.

Notable tracks include “12 Times the Pain” (strong traditional metal meets southern groove metal mix), “End of Days” (a 70’s Black Sabbath start with a crushing riff and trippy stoner elements), “52” (the strong opener that sets the tone for the entire release) and “Dead:30” (a more straight forward 80’s traditional metal crusher). The thing about the sound is that as catchy and unique as it is, it is best to listen to Svölk in small quantities. A full album’s listen (here with three lengthy bonus tracks that originally appeared on the band’s first EP “Beast Unleashed”) can be a bit draining and wear down a listener.

Svölk is definitely a unique stand out in the stoner/doom genre. The band combines a varying and interesting style with the “Norwegian redneck attitude” that sets the group apart from the pack. Needless to say, I felt totally out of touch and slightly freaked out when I learned that there actually was a “redneck attitude” in Norway.