Bhleg are a young duo, consisting of two Ljuset-members, though this duo does not act like just a Ljuset side-project. Bhleg surely are a distinctive entity on its own. Ludvig Andersson (vocals and bass) and Simon Johansson (guitars, vocals, keyboards and additional percussion), along with session drummer Robert Johansson, recorded the material for this first album in winter 2013-2014 at Studio Asu and A.M.P. Studio, and then they signed to Nordvis Produktion, quite an impressive Swedish label that did / does surprise me lately enormously (cf. some reviews I did for the likes of Skogen, Ahamkara, Dråpsnatt, Izah, Falls Of Rauros etc.).
As said, Draumr Àst is Bhleg’s debut, and despite hailing from the influential city of Gothenburg, Bhleg do not sound, at all, like a Gothenburgy act. For sure there is a Nordic approach, strongly influenced by the origins of the Second Wave trend, yet with another sonic angle, being injecting elements from Atmospheric Black Metal too; you know, the highly melodic, gazing guitar melody-laden kind. And as a matter of fact, the opening track Solkronan says it all. At the one hand there is a lot going on in the vein of the Norwegian scene, and then I am referring, with pleasure and pride, to the likes of Burzum, early Gorgoroth, Kampfar and Ulver. At the other, one cannot completely ignore certain aspects reminiscent of Mortifera, Shining, Nargaroth and Woods Of Desolation. But there is more than just considering this material as a mixture of both angles. Also in that first song, for example, there are quite some unique details, like that fine technical break at the end (a nice counterbalance to the traditional, somewhat epic riffing, which is mainly based on repetitive riff structures). Another remarkable fact is, for example, instrumental pieces like Kosmos Pulsådra or Stjärnkartans Väv: based on eerie and cosmic synth lines with a minimal ritual drum, floating ambience to trespass the limitations of borders. This gets joined by distantly sounding and melancholic riffs, and it’s not that bizarre to refer to the French or Canadian Atmospheric scenes. A composition like Skymningsdrömmar comes with another quite memorable, intensively breath-taking introduction. On top of it, I think that the raw, unpolished sound strengthens the grimness and mysticism that characterizes this duo’s aural approach. Yes, it is ‘underground’ and totally lacking of over-production, which to my modest opinion is the one and only sound possible to focus on the essence: creating convincing Melo/Melancho-Black! Yet at the same time the mix is beneath acceptance, for the whole rhythm section seems of non-existence. I do barely hear the drums or bass lines, and that surely is a pity. Finally I need to mention the speed, for the overall slow tempo does not lack power. No, Bhleg do not perform doom-laden Black Metal, yet the slowness is part of the mighty atmosphere. Besides, there are several accelerations, empowering the dense raised fist attitude.
Highlight is the title track, which sort of collects all different elements and ingredients hearable on this album. It’s the lengthiest piece too (clocking about ten minutes) and sort of symbiosis of Bhleg’s sound. Yet at the same time it might be one of the most intense ones too.