GRIMM - THE NETHERLANDS

GRIMM - HEKSENKRINGEN - DISPLEASED  
Grimm has discovered the way to combine anti-Christian feelings with folk and doom feelings without weakening the essence of the music or forcing pretentiousness. The band’s imperative to expose the Christian ills or revive the Dutch traditions push it to mix grim (if you will pardon the expression) black metal with harsh vocals and heavy riffing with clean vocals and dismal passages. The combination partly works because it is serious and anti-commercial. The opening riff of the album on De Witte Ruiter is quality stuff, which also points to the trio’s use of Dutch as viable for lyricism. The singing styles and the piercing guitar solos are a curious mix, but they certainly work. With a touch of Tyr and the desolation of doomy black metal as the basis, Grimm deserves to be better known although the use of Dutch titles and lyrics has probably limited the band’s appeal. Good for them too. Kampfar and Tyr fans should hail Grimm, but know that these Heers are mightier and have goals that are more specific. - Anna Tergel