Band:	Svart
Album:	Namnlös Och Bortglömd
Style:	Depressive black metal, Funeral doom metal
Release date:	March 20, 2010
A review by:	Troy Killjoy

01. Den Hemlöses Klagosång
02. Den Sista Droppen Utav Liv
03. Namnlös Och Bortglömd

Depressive black metal
Sweden
Frostscald Records

Line-up on the CD:
Draug - vocals, all instruments


Draug is at it again on this EP, unleashing a certain pent-up rage and frustration otherwise lacking in Svart's discography without drowning out the tormenting depressive atmosphere. How he managed to release such a melancholic opus by way of Förlorad the same year as this hostile undertaking of a mini-CD is beyond me.

What we have here is Namnlös Och Bortglömd, meaning...something depressive in Swedish, I'm sure. And with a new album title comes a new sound - something our eager beaver is growing notorious for. The raw production backs these aggressive songs up differently than on Våran Tid Är Förbi, manufacturing a more organic antipathy towards life and its inherent cruelties rather than trying to force you into believing in Draug's unfortunate circumstances.

With more honesty in Svart's 2010 catalog, Draug has earned himself the right to proudly declare that his music has matured "over the years", which is something of a statement usually reserved for bands of a more critically successful nature. With that said, Namnlös Och Bortglömd is prone to its faults, particularly the flow. This isn't to say that we have another case of Våran Tid Är Förbi on our hands with its unfitting instruments, but this EP tends to lack in the overall structure department. At times things seem very jumpy and chaotic, which hinders the significance of Draug's excellent performance (vocally and musically).

Nevertheless, the problems of the first two songs seemingly disappear as the listener is rescued from an average release with the arrival of the disheartening title track. The soft piano keys resonate against a perfectly serene background, transcending the mere depressive atmosphere by way of strenuous mourning. It may not sound fitting as the first two songs are more antagonistic, but this lethargic movement makes for a much-needed transition.

Due to the conclusive instrumental track, one can grow to understand the nature of Förlorad: Draug has completed a circle of self-discovery. From his earlier works of misery and hatred, seeking pity and vengeance, Draug has taken Svart, using the band as a vehicle, to learn from his flaws and mistakes. Namnlös Och Bortglömd, in all its imperfection and its glory, is but a prelude to a much more intricate story...