The music of Hellevaerder, a black metal band from Heerhugowaard, is steeped in rich symbolism and existential struggle. At its core stands the tale of the Guardian of the Light, a mystical figure who represents humanity’s internal battle with existence — a conflict between hope and despair, life and oblivion.
On their debut album In the Mist of Envy, the Guardian was still in the midst of her resistance. She embodied the unbreakable will to live, opposing the Worshippers of the Void — beings symbolic of nihilism and surrender to forgetfulness. Their aim is to dissolve the self, to merge with the universe, to achieve total silence. Yet the Guardian stood firm. She defended the light, the life force, against the consuming darkness.
But fate takes a cruel turn on the new album. The Guardian is overwhelmed, captured, and dragged through the gates of eternal slavery — a metaphor for total spiritual oppression, a world of absolute darkness where hope survives only as a flicker. Even there, the light searches for a way through the tiniest cracks. That spark of life, however fragile, refuses to die. The duality endures.
After her capture, the battle becomes more intimate, more personal. She is alone, stripped of meaning, yet she refuses to surrender. “The light conquers all,” she whispers, recalling her former belief. Yet in her despair she admits, “Dying means enlightenment.” This contrast — between surrendering to death as an escape, and clinging stubbornly to life — forms the heart of this album.
The Guardian represents the human who refuses to be broken, even when everything suggests otherwise. Her struggle is not a heroic clash with an external enemy, but an internal storm — where the line between hope and annihilation is razor-thin. In the end, she remains faithful to life. The will to live, no matter how scarred, proves stronger than the urge to disappear.
Thematically, the album poses profound questions: What does it mean to keep believing in the light when all around you is shrouded in darkness? When the void beckons and the universe remains silent, what still binds us to existence?
With Miranda Visser at the helm — her piercing, merciless vocals cutting straight through the sonic fabric — Hellevaerder carves out a permanent wound in your mind. Her voice doesn’t just scream; it lacerates. It haunts. It lingers like a battle scar long after the track fades. What a voice. What a force.
Right from the opening moments of “Een Bepantserde Troon”, it’s clear: this album pulls no punches. It’s relentless, brutal, and unforgiving. No warm-up, no easing in — just straight into the inferno. The riffs hit like a battering ram, and the rhythm section drags you deep into the dark narrative of this record. Echoes of second wave black metal bleed through the cracks, yet the production and performance carry a modern sharpness. The bass lies loose but present in the mix, allowing playful lines and nuances to shine through, adding organic depth to the otherwise aggressive soundscape.
Then comes “Krijgers van het Niets”, and the fury escalates. The track opens with another ferocious riff, and Visser’s vocals again tear through with apocalyptic rage. Yet something catches the ear — a second voice. Who or what it is remains a mystery, as the liner notes list Miranda as the sole vocalist. But the result is intense — dual voices, clashing or converging, evoking a sense of inner chaos, ritual madness, or something rising from within. It’s unnerving and brilliant.
The album offers a momentary reprieve with “De Laatste Dageraad”, where the tempo drops and a more contemplative atmosphere emerges. Here, the rest of the band steps in vocally, acting as a somber chorus behind Visser’s lead. It feels like a mourning scene within the grander story of the Guardian of the Light, a pause for breath, reflection — and dread. But the calm is temporary. Soon enough, the speed returns, and with it, the signature intensity that defines Hellevaerder.
“Handen Geketend in Ijzer” marks a crucial moment in the narrative. The Guardian’s hands are bound in chains, and the hypnotic riff pulls us deeper into her descent. This track reveals the band’s melodic prowess — the riffs aren’t just fierce, they’re thoughtfully constructed. And then comes a whispered, distant spoken word passage — ghostly, subtle, unsettling. It’s beautifully done: dark, dramatic, and yet undeniably graceful. Hellevaerder proves they can do more than blast beats and tremolo — they can create true atmosphere.
Then comes the title track: “Fakkeldragers”. The pace slows, the tone shifts. A doom-influenced beginning, guided by clean guitars and deliberate pacing, adds a new dimension. This is one of the album’s highlights — and yet, every track here could be called a highlight. Each contains its own climax, its own mystery, its own emotional weight.
With Fakkeldragers, Hellevaerder leaves no doubt: they are one of the true torchbearers of the modern Dutch black metal scene. This album doesn’t just showcase talent — it showcases vision, depth, and individuality. There’s no mimicry here, no recycling. Instead, Fakkeldragers stands as a raw, emotional, and conceptually rich album that confidently walks its own path.
Hellevaerder doesn’t just light a flame — they carry it into the void, unwavering. And the rest of the world would do well to follow.
90/100
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