Bizarrekult â Alt Som Finnes Review
By Dr. A.N. Grier
If you know anything about grumpy ole Grier, you know heâs been dry-humping Bizarrekult ever since 2021âs Vi Overlevde. âDry-humpingâ might not be the correct term. Maybe passionate lovemaking? Yeah, thatâs the stuff. But, in all seriousness, this little band came out of nowhere and has been making waves in such a short time. While the debut had me glued to my seat, the follow-up, Den Tapte Krigen, damn-near bolted me downâto the point that I had to cut myself out of my pants to break free. If that had been the bandâs swansong, I would have been just fine for the rest of my life. But Bizarrekult is back to ruin another pair of my pants. Behold! Alt Som Finnes!
Before we begin, letâs explore some of the new additions Bizarre and co. have brought to the table with this new outing. While the general structure of the output remains the same, the approach can vary. Joining the ranks of second-wave Norwegian black metal, Alcestian meloblack, and Enslaved-like intricacies are three guest vocalists: Yusaf âVicotnikâ Parvez (DĂždheimsgard), Lina (Cross Bringer, Predatory Void), and Kim Song Sternkopf (MĂžl, The Arcane Order). Iâm not sure whether the songs were created with the guests in mind or whether they evolved during the songwriting process, but each song was made for its guest. Each with a gentle, clean vocal style, you can expect some of the most melodic, gorgeous accompaniment in the Bizarrekultâs repertoire. And besides Sternkopfâs contribution to the closing âTomhet,â this song is also the first ever to be penned in English. Not that we metalheads have an issue with songs in a countryâs native language, unlike the rest of the mainstream poser fucks. But itâs a nice addition.
ï»żAlt Som Finnes by Bizarrekult
Alt Som Finnes kicks off with a surprising piece in the form of âHun.â Mostly surprising in its simplicity and short runtime. Alternating between clean and distorted vocals and ripping blackened riffs, this track only whets the whistleânothing more and nothing less. Which leaves me wanting more before âBlikket Hennesâ slaps the fuck out of me like a cat who hasnât received its treats. This track has a thick bass, unsettling old-school black metal dissonance, venomous Aldrahn-like growls, and a trudging pace slowed by tar. Then, it collapses into a gorgeous atmosphere as Parvezâs beautiful vocals hit hard and crush the olde ticker like itâs made of parchment.
There are so many reliable tracks that itâs difficult to choose one over the other. That said, âAvmaktâ is a beautiful piece with one of the most memorable black metal licks Iâve heard in some time. And not because itâs thrash, death, or any other sort of approach, but because itâs a killer true black metal riff. As the song progresses, the melodies expand like an ever-growing blanket that settles over mountains and valleys, like giants slumbering below the fabric. Itâs one of those songs that proves you donât need the beauty of the clean vocals of âBlikket Hennesâ to achieve the same task. While there are others in the same vein as âAvmakt,â âAversjonâ takes it to another level with its influences. Opening with slow-moving melodics and sorrowful sustains, it quickly goes dark, slithering below the Earthly strains like a viper. But, like a miracle at the darkest of times, an uplifting, Alcest-like air breathes overâpushing deep and far, even into Enslaved-esque prog-tivity.
On first spin, Alt Som Finnes is an absolute rollercoaster of emotions that, even though itâs not uncommon for Bizarrekult to instill, leave me completely crippled by the end. Outside of the surprisingly two-pump Chuck that is âHun,â the rest weave together while many still try to resist the tempting urge to give in and conform to the predictable fabric patterns. Instead, you have a glowing blanket that is also scorched and tattered beyond repair. Though it remains intact, when touched, it feels both gentle and painful at the same time. Itâs a conflicting album in its tone but not in its delivery, and the intricacies of this slow burner try hard to topple Den Tapte Krigen from its perch. Who knows where itâll stand in time, but, regardless, this new outing is a worthy addition to the Bizarrekult family.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 256 kb/s mp3
Label: Season of Mist Underground Activists
Websites: bizarrekult.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/bizarrekult
Releases Worldwide: February 20th, 2026
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