Gaahls WYRD – Braiding the Stories
Release Date: 6th June 2025
Label: Season of Mist
Bandcamp
Genre: Esoteric Extreme/Black Metal, Dark Metal.
FFO: Gorgoroth, Mayhem, Enslaved.
Review By: Hillary Wisniewski
Gaahl is no stranger to our Metal Epidemic followers; his career has spanned decades and numerous projects including Gorgoroth, Trelldom, Gaahlskagg, God Seed, and Wardruna. Although most associated with black metal, Gaahl allows himself space to explore various aspects of himself as well as humankind; Gaahls WYRD is a reflection of this process. Formed in 2015, the band has released one full length, an EP, and a live album. Braiding the Stories is a stellar addition to an already enjoyable catalogue. Of this new album, Gaahl states “Musically, it’s unique…It’s not necessarily connected to GastiR and The Humming Mountain. Those albums are connected to very earthly elements, the natural flow of things. This album is another dimension—behind the veil, if you will.”
What makes Braiding the Stories incredibly special is the natural way in which it unfolds; it is almost as if the album wrote itself. I don’t want to discount the work put into it or the talent involved with it; however, the flow of it is impressive. Soft, dreamy moments drift into crushing, oppressive riffs which melt into soaring melodic sounds. While listening to this, it struck me that the overall demeanour of the album was quite reflective of the human experience. At times, it seemed a descent into madness or a dissociative state; in fact, there are points in which the various voices and sounds in the background are reminiscent of auditory hallucinations or perhaps an otherworldly presence. It’s quite interesting, and musically fantastic. Braiding the Stories is teeming with layers of sounds, and the guitar really stands out as the instrument that drives everything. Gaahl makes good use of his vocal range in terms of offering gentle, sopranic crooning, low and slow spoken word, and haunting bellows. All of these dynamics make sense when put within the context of what this album was trying to accomplish. Gaahl said, “I always work with the subconscious…and dreams are where we are at the most aware of our subconsciousness, I think. In a way, Braiding the Stories is a continuation [of ‘The Sleep’] but told from a different perspective. So, to simplify, Braiding the Stories deals with dreams. Not specific dreams, though. The transitions of dreams, emotions flowing from one to another without pause.” The engineering on this work by Iver Sandøy is aces; it is clean enough to allow breathing room for all elements, but still maintains some grit. He definitely achieved balance in that regard.
If you’ve come looking for black metal, you won’t get it here. Sure, there is some influence in a loose way and this makes sense; if one is exploring the subconscious there are dark parts with which one must reckon. Gaahls Wyrd transcends what someone might expect from this master musician and his crew, and it does not fit neatly within a box, which is quite pleasing. If you want a listen that has emotional depth, musical chops, and isn’t afraid to go with the creative flow, then you best add this to your list.
Kristian Espedal «Gaahl» – All Voices
Ole Walaunet «Lust Kilman» – All Guitars
Andreas Salbu «Nekroman» – Bass
Kevin Kvåle «Spektre» – Drums
(4.5 / 5)
