This Sweden-based Australian lone wolf returns with his unique blend of the sorrow of depression-tinged Black Metal with the coldness, thrill and melancholy of its atmospheric kind in his third album.
Brought forth by the Västmanland County, Sweden-based vocalist and multi-instrumentalist M., aka Matthew Bell (originally from Australia), of bands like Aeon Moon, Arboreal Trance, Autumn’s Dawn, Austere, and many others, the bitterly cold Atmospheric/Depressive Black Metal entity Tjaktjadálvve (a Sámi season representing the time when the sun sets and reindeer move to winter pastures, signifying the deep cold and preparation for polar night, translating to something like “Autumn Winter” or “Dark Winter” in concept) returns with its unique blend of the sorrow of depression-tinged Black Metal with the coldness, thrill and melancholy of its atmospheric kind in its third album, titled Encompassing Nothingness, guiding the listener through his low-paced and synth-driven scenarios. Mixed and mastered at Nekkomix, with cover photo by Francesco Del Vecchio and other images and layout by Tryfar, the follow-up to the project’s 2023 sophomore Echoes on a Windswept Plain encloses a musical journey which can’t reward the listener more than so, with its neat production and dreadful vocals elevating the overall coldness and desolation in great fashion.
In The Solitude of Abject Darkness, the name of the song says it all. Prepare for a whimsical journey through cold and dark lands, with M. roaring like a demonic entity, bursting with anguish and pain while the instrumental pieces are simply majestic. Norrsken (pronounced “norr-shen”) is the Swedish word for the Northern Lights (or “Aurora Borealis”), literally meaning “north” (norr) and “light” or “shine” (sken), and that’s exactly what M. offers with his minimalist yet harsh riffs, sluggish beats and all background elements in a true Depressive Black Metal aria; and M.’s deep vociferations will penetrate deep inside your soul in the also bitterly cold Longing, again delivering a classy Atmospheric Black Metal sound with tons of depressive and grim elements. Lastly, let’s embark on a 10-minute voyage through the harshness of the Swedish winter in the title-track Encompassing Nothingness, with M. once again crushing his drums while also delivering ethereal key notes, all boosted by his trademark roars.
In a nutshell, fans of phenomenal atmospheric bands the likes of Woods of Desolation, Austere, Panopticon, and Mesarthim, among others, will have an absolute blast listening to Encompassing Nothingness, and of course if you want to join M. and his Tjaktjadálvve in bitterly cold darkness, you can find his music on Spotify, on Apple Music, and on BandCamp (and no, there’s no social media for Tjaktjadálvve), and purchase his excellent new album from the Flowing Downward’s BandCamp or webstore. Why would anyone move from the warmth and stunning beaches of Australia to face the freezing temperatures of the Swedish winter, one might ask? Well, if M.’s endgame is to craft the enfolding, grim music by Tjaktjadálvve, let’s say Sweden is doing wonders to his creative process, and I’m sure we’ll hear a lot more from this Australian lone wolf and his cold adventures in Svea Rike in the near future.
Best moments of the album: The Solitude of Abject Darkness and Encompassing Nothingness.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2026 Flowing Downward
Track listing
1. The Solitude of Abject Darkness 7:17
2. Norrsken 9:07
3. Longing 6:09
4. Encompassing Nothingness 9:49
Band members
M. – vocals, all instruments
THE HEADBANGING MOOSE 