ULVER - Vargnatt [lp] (Oxblood Vinyl) (LP)

Widely known for high-calibre soundscapes and exquisite experimental and electronic art as part of their continual and ever-shifting evolution, Ulver's beginnings amalgamated ethereal black metal with delicate folk-inspired passages. Despite the rough edges, the band's material stands out with its highly unconventional compositions when compared to the more primitive and raw offerings from other fast rising acts in the Norwegian scene at the time.

Vargnatt was Ulver's first foray into the wilds, and an exceptional debut demo, utilising what was to become a staple on/of their legendary trilogy (Bergtatt, Kveldssanger, and Nattens Madrigal) with acoustic guitar implementation amid melodic and often complex and obtuse arrangements, conjured and delivered with an already advanced degree of musicianship, with eerie vocals of longstanding frontman Kristoffer "Garm" Rygg. This early incarnation of Ulver also notably featured Carl-Michael Eide of Aura Noir / Ved Buens Ende fame on drums, as well as Robin "Mean" Malmberg (from fellow Norwegian pioneers Mysticum) on bass guitar.

The audio included on this record consists of original material sourced from the original DAT. The release also includes a bonus track "Vargnatt" captured live at Bootleg TV in Oslo during 1993 and sourced from the National Library of Norway.