FREJA
Tides
BABYLON DOOM CULT An absorbing new vision from the Dutch black metal birthing pool
Netherlands black metal duo Freja formed after a halcyon moment for the Dutch black metal scene at Roadburn 2019: namely Maalstroom, a special performance featuring members of Fluisteraars, Turia and Verwoed, among others. Two of the performers, Laster’s W. and C. of Witte Wieven forged a bond through a shared love of atmospheric BM. Their vocal duet on their debut is its most striking quality, harnessing the full spectrum of their male/ female, clean/harsh range. At its starkest in the likes of Cataclysm, C.’s unbound operatics are the high to W.’s savage lows. Melodic flourishes are tossed in ever-undulating swells of hungry speed and mid-paced power on an absorbing record inspired by ancient mythos. Tides is a polished meeting point of reverence and anguish.