GAAHLS WYRD – Braiding The Stories (Album Review)

Norway’s Gaahls Wyrd returns just in time to blacken your summer with the heartfelt Braiding the Stories. Picking up with 2019’s Gastir – Ghost’s Invited left off, the band continues their foray into the avant-garde and post-black metal manifestations of sound.

The title track, “Braiding the Stories,” is an affect-filled diversion into Gaahl‘s world. It’s complicated, sometimes dark, misty, and multi-faceted. Unique sounds keep up your interest through the 8-minute-plus opus of breathtaking, yet complicated beauty. Not at all obvious on the first listen, you have to grapple with this work to fully appreciate its composition. Sometimes black metal, but with a Lindsay Buckingham-type lead guitar tone, Gaahl (Kristin Espedal) and friends break new ground with this one.

Things are different, however, on “Time and Timeless Timeline,” which is a straight-up rocker that immediately grabs you by the throat and pulls you in deep. It’s about as close to traditional black metal you’re going to get on this record, however, those who’ve been listening to Gaahl’s more recent work over the past decade know that he’s moved far beyond that. This is another track where Gaahl effectively uses his vocals in novel ways to add texture and nuance. Similar sonics are present in the less direct, more circuitous “Through the Veil,” as well as “Visions in Time.” The latter also gives some shades of Queen and Brian May‘s guitar.

“And the Now” is a dreamy sort of endeavor. Again, throwing traditional song structure to the wayside, the band utilizes its multitude of talents and musicianship to take the listener into a dream-like state of being. It’s these types of tracks where the band really excels at creating something that’s more than just “black-gaze” or “shoegaze;” there’s more direct purpose and engagement with the person on the receiving end of the audio. You can’t help but be moved, shifted, and turned in a multitude of directions, not just with this particular track, but really with the entire record as well. Listening to Gaahls Wryd is like watching an episode of the Apple TV show Severance, you become so immersed in the art, and you have absolutely no idea where it’s going to take you.

The record was co-produced with Iver Sandoy, who you might already know from his work as drummer and vocalist in Enslaved. The production on the record is really outstanding, as we can hear all the barely audible sounds that Gaahl has created throughout the record. Gaahl’s voice is there, of course, to deliver the vocals, however, he often uses it as its own instrument as well, bringing in layers of atmosphere to the recording. As he tells us, “Throughout this album, I use a lot of different voices, and I’ve thought a lot about how all these different characters fit [into the music]. So, I wanted the listener to fall into the album, not be distracted, and I think I’ve accomplished that. It’s cinematic.”

If you’re expecting something completely different from Gaahl’s earlier work with Gorgoroth or Trelldom, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. This album pushes boundaries and is likely to take even the most devoted black metal enthusiasts into uncharted territory. Some traditionalists might be scared off, but those who imbibe will be better off for it.

And here’s a new one for vinyl collectors – you can get a special 12-inch record that is actually filled with hair! Now, I can’t tell you whose hair it is, but nevertheless, certainly a first in any collection, regardless! Even without the gimmicks, this is a no-doubt, more than genuine release from one of Norway’s most brilliant artists.

Release Date: June 6^th, 2025
Record Label: Season Of Mist
Genre: Black Metal

Musicians:

• Kristian Espedal “Gaahl” / All voices
• Ole Walaunet “Lust Kilman” / All guitars
• Andreas Salbu “Nekroman” / Bass
• Kevin Kvåle “Spektre” / Drums

Braiding the Stories Track-list:

1. The Dream (02:11)
2. Braiding the Stories (08:37)
3. Voices in My Head (02:00)
4. Time and Timeless Timeline (03:03)
5. And the Now (05:49)
6. Through the Veil (01:57)
7. Visions and Time (06:00)
8. Root the Will (05:25)
9. Flowing Starlight (07:11)

Order Braiding the Stories here.