When it comes to black metal, I am a demanding listener. An album needs to strike exactly the right balance of ingredients to keep me engaged beyond a single listen. Elfsgedroch’s releases possess precisely those qualities, and I firmly believe this band is severely underrated. Fans of melodic and atmospheric black metal should take note. In 2025, the band surprised us with the EP “Voor de Groninger Poorten, Hoogmoed Eindigt in As”.
Since 2015, Elfsgedroch has released two strong full-length albums, the most recent dating back to 2020. It wasn’t until 2025 that this EP surfaced, consisting of three tracks with a total runtime of 16 minutes and 23 seconds. The first reference that comes to mind is Drudkh. Elfsgedroch evokes a similarly monumental, melancholic, and dragging atmosphere: one that strongly conjures a sense of time and landscape. This is atmospheric black metal done right, without falling into the common pitfall of excessive repetition that plagues much of the genre today. Instead, Elfsgedroch offers variety and a rich musical vocabulary, drawing heavily from the second-wave tradition. Just listen to ‘1665 – De Slag bij Jipsinghuizen,’ which closes with a beautifully calm acoustic passage, reminiscent of Ulver. In terms of melodic guitar riffs, Abigor comes to mind – an association I wholeheartedly welcome. Above all, I experience an extremely strong sense of déjà vu with the truly fantastic (!) Groningen-based band Krocht, who similarly made use of complex, majestic harmonic guitar work and flowing melodic lines. Since Elfsgedroch shrouds itself in anonymity, it remains pure speculation whether the same guitarist is involved.
The hysterical vocal delivery also deserves special mention, as it significantly amplifies the emotional intensity of the music. The band carefully integrates historical events into its work; lyrically and thematically, the EP draws from the Dutch ‘Disaster Year’ of 1672, particularly the struggle surrounding the city of Groningen.
In terms of production, Elfsgedroch once again opts for an old-school organic sound, and this release marks a clear step forward compared to their previous output. The guitars carry a pleasant overtone that leaves room for the well-executed bass lines. The drums sound natural – no triggers here – with the richly resonant snare standing out as a particular highlight.
As far as I can tell, Voor de Groninger Poorten, Hoogmoed Eindigt in As is currently available only in digital form. A shame, as this remarkable work truly deserves a physical release. It is exciting to see the band joining forces with the label Eisenwald. This makes me eager to hear what the band will deliver next!
97/100