Review: “Vigarv” by Övervåld

A third extended play in two years from Swedish Blackened Death Metal Crust Punk infusion Övervåld (or “Overwhelmed“) promises raw fury and despair, of both a vicious and infectious variety with side order of relentless aggression, misanthropy and a drizzle of unfiltered brutality. Named after an ancient Swedish term for revenge “Vigarv” is said to fuse the bands classic HM-2 sound with ferocious Black Metal influences and set the four piece on a war path of an uncompromising and devastating sonic assault. Fronted by the fierce Rebecca Holm (ex-Enemy Awake) who is aided and abetted by Joachim Lyngfelt (Crawl, ex-Decomposed), Peter Engström (ex-Setherial) and Alexander Cundell (Corrosive Sweden), the quartet began their journey in 2023 before unveiling debut “V​å​ldsbejakande Extremism” (or “Violent Extremism“) at the turn of the year…

Refined and redefined in the fires of hell, “Förruttnelse” (or “Putrefactive“) finds Holm reminding us of the much loved Angela Gossow with a savagely brutal vocal performance that is as harsh as nails dragging down a chalk board. Engström provides an artillery shelling of a kit performance laced with Black Metal influence while the caustic guitar tones from Joachim Lyngfelt and rumbling bass from Alexander Cundell provide the soundtrack to the end of days. Sonically nasty and yet with a surprisingly hummable tune, this powerful statement piece of an opening cut sounds like a warning shot. Shifting gears like a juggernaut on the freeway, “Lögnarnas Tempel” (or “Temple of Lies“) has more of a groove orientated riff, making the finest use of that satisfyingly crunchy guitar tone as Holm roars like a demonic banshee. What’s intriguing is the sound quality, the band purposefully opting for a raw edge to give their cryptic writings a little more aggression and with neck snapping tunes like this it’s certainly not a case of style over substance. Title track “Vigarv” (or “Revenge“) is equally as bitter and twisted as anything else Övervåld have to offer, the four piece proving they can match the crushing intensity of a black hole when it comes to atmosphere. As unapologetic as it is bludgeoning, this is very much the sound track to a metaphorical sledge hammer scene in an Alfred Hitchcock classic. You know what’s coming, it’s just a case of how much tension is going to get cranked up before it does. Once more around the sun “Smärta Som Belöning” (or “Pain As Reward“) ends the record on a blistering final note with a track that encompasses all the elements they previously brought to the table. An almost tribal drum fill is a nice touch before the slow, dirge laden final onslaught and while you might not necessarily need this, you’ll want it more than you realise [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Förruttnelse
2. Lögnarnas Tempel
3. Vigarv
4. Smärta Som Belöning

“Vigarv” by Övervåld is out 18th April 2025 via Throne Of Lies Records and is available over at bandcamp.