Genre/Influences: Dark-Ambient, Ritual.

Format: Digitalk, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: This debut album by the Swedish Beckahesten trio got released during the darkest days of late 2020. Driven by Peo Bengtsson, Per Åhlund (previously involved with Sophia, but also still active with Skare, Diskrepant and live member of Karjalan Sissit) and vocalist Viktoria Rolandsdotter, this album has been inspired by different elements of their culture.

Content: Beckahesten is hard to put in a specific music genre or label. They bring a mix of Dark-Ambient atmospheres and Ritual passages accentuated by the whispering, spoken words of Viktoria Rolandsdotter. The tracks have been accomplished by a wide sonic canvas of metallic sounds and different kinds of noises. The songs are progressively built up accentuating the somewhat inhibited impression of the work.

+ + + : Beckahesten wants to mix different ideas together, which clearly comes through in their composition. This work is a true osmosis between different dark influences. I like the intimate atmosphere, creating a kind of secret rite accentuated by the spooky vocals of their singer. It’s meant as poetry, but comes through as pure magic! The least I can say is that this project doesn’t sound like any other, which at the same time enlarges the sonic horizon of their label. I like this atypical approach, which proves it’s still possible to be creative and even innovative. I also like the tracklist, which is going crescendo hiding the best pieces right at the end.

– – – : I just have one single regret about this work; the album only features 5 tracks for 36 minutes of music.

Conclusion: Beckahesten is more than simply a promising newcomer, their album reveals a true genius composition.

Best songs: “Dödsfälen”, “Hotet”, “Skugan”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.beckahesten.se / www.facebook.com/beckahesten

Label: www.cycliclaw.com / www.facebook.com/cycliclaw