Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Vreid
Title
Pitch Black Brigade
Type
LP/EP
Company
Candlelight
YOR
2006
Style
Black
7/2/2006 - Review by: Veritas
Some general black metal fans may find a little bit of what they like
After the unfortunate demise of Windir’s frontman Valfar in 2004, three of Windir’s other members decided to form a new band, Vreid. Making up this group are Guitarist/vocalist Sture, bassist Hvall, drummer Steingrim, and Ese, a non-Windir member recruited to play guitar. Instead of continuing to play the unique version of Viking/black metal that Valfar penned in Windir, the four chose a more straightforward black metal route. Sadly, at least on Pitch Black Brigade, they do not come anywhere close to achieving Windir’s former glory.

Taken on their own, Vreid actually aren’t a terrible band. They’re more or less average. Too many of Pitch Black Brigade’s tracks have an overt “death-and-roll” feel to them, where the melody is relatively simple and catchy, and the song is not too heavy or overpowering. However, several songs display a fair amount of musicianship. For example, “Pitch Black” contains a creative riff or two, and “Hengebjorki” has a clean-vocalled chorus that does a great job of changing up the song’s pace and intensity. If it was not for Windir, this album still wouldn’t stand out… but I also wouldn’t be giving it a negative review.

The lyrics and song titles that Vreid have come up with sound stupid and almost cheesy at times. “Hang Em All” sounds like it was thought up during one of Metallica’s less fruitful brainstorming sessions, and “Left To Hate” is far too simplistic. It is kind of unfair that I’m holding them to such a high standard, but after the brilliant music that Valfar made, it makes sense to hold those that played with him to similar standards.

As you’ve probably already figured out, Windir fans are NOT going to enjoy this album. Instead, I would recommend true fans to check out a band called Cor Scorpii, which was formed by Windir’s keyboardist Righ, guitarist Strom (they go by their real names in this band) as well as drummer Steingrim, who is also in Vreid. They create vaguely folk-inspired black metal somewhat similar but not identical to the style of Windir, and pay homage rather than insult to Valfar’s spirit. Some general black metal fans may find a little bit of what they like on Pitch Black Brigade, but nothing stands out enough to make this disc truly worthwhile.
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    2.5 :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: VREID
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
I Krig
2007
Candlelight
David Loveless4/4/2008
3.5
Pitch Black Brigade
2006
Candlelight
Veritas7/2/2006
2.5

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: VREID
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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