Set to be one of the best releases of the year from my perspective, the self-titled debut offering from Norwegian Heavy Metal juggernaut-in-the-making AVRAK was literally love at first listen for me.
AVRAK – AVRAK
Release Date: 9 October 2026
Words: Jools Green
AVRAK are masterminded by Ted Skjellum on guitars, Moog guitar/synthesiser, additional vocals and effects (half of the legendary duo Darkthrone and ex:SARKE) and Anders Hegna on guitars and vocals (Nød, El Kayenne, Svidd Grevling).
Formed by the duo back in 2023 through a mutual passion for old, classic rock and Metal, it has taken a while with their other commitments to get to this point. But the final result is well worth the wait and the fact that the line-up is completed by drummer Terje Kråbøl (Gjendød, ex:SARKE, Faustcoven) and bassist Steinar Gundersen (Khold, ex:SARKE, Satyricon) and given that I am a big fan of the now split-up outfit SARKE, obviously this album is something hard for me to resist.
Soundwise, AVRAK delivers elements of rock and Metal melded into nine gritty songs that still have, much to my delight, a decidedly Black Metal undercurrent as well as a Doom-rich edge.
From the outset, it was decided that Anders would be the main vocalist, and as much as I am a massive fan of Ted’s vocal style, I do really like Anders’ clean but rugged delivery. Meanwhile, Ted makes his stamp on this release with guitar work that is unmistakably his.
One of the standout aspects is the lyrics. They are hugely powerful and superbly delivered, with just enough ambiguity to make you ponder over them, at times quite deeply.
On opening track Forever Mountain an attention grabbing dark and catchy repeat riff runs throughout forming the unnerving backbone of the piece which is also drenched in dark doomy atmosphere. The lyrics are both powerful and bleak, with a tantalisingly ambiguous edge, and the soaring repeat of “Forever Mountain” impacts hard. Overall, it is a powerfully moving piece and a superb start to the album.
Waves of dark riffs open Unborn, with the pace upping and switching as the haunting vocals arrive, delivering an element of regret and warning, chugging their way through the repeat of “Unborn.” Throughout, an ominous air prevails, with the final crushing frenzy amplifying that atmosphere.
Long May The Lums Reek is very melancholic and reflective in mood as it opens with sharp but bleak riffs and a wistful undercurrent. Even better are the different twists in the pace and direction to this piece. It is like opening a succession of doors and discovering something new behind each one.
The vocals are superb again, strong but reflective, and even more so thanks to the subtle harmonies added selectively across them. The closing leadwork is restrained and movingly reflective, making again a hugely powerful piece.
Delivering a sense of unnerve is the brief instrumental interlude Rot Manifesting. As the sound of dripping water over noise and distortion fades out, then ramps up to the sharp, catchy opening riffs and rhythms of Varde, there is something very powerful and inspiring about this piece. You get a heady mix of fuzzy chugging riffs alongside haunting swathes and punchy, powerful passages, and the lyrics are delivered with well-phrased impact too.
Cloaks Of Power opens on slow, heavy and oppressive plodding riffs. Then the pace elevates, and the riffs sharpen rapidly as the punchily delivered vocals arrive and develop a more melodic stance on the repeated “Stand your ground, do not fold.” There is also a superb swathe of second-half lead work elevating this powerful track further.
The lyrics are interestingly ambiguous. I could hazard a guess as to the meaning, but I will not. I’ll leave that up to the individual listener, or just enjoy it for the rousing and hugely catchy piece that it is.
The Lonely Shadow is largely a great dark rocker of a track with riffs that are catchy as hell and with a bit of a groove. The lyrics really engage and make you want to sing along, but it also harbours faster, heavier, darker, and more intense swathes as an even more enticing contrast. On top of that, the lead work is great too.
Lyrically, I love The Rift. It is seductively ambiguous enough that you can interpret it in several ways, so it leaves you pondering. The delivery is superb too. Musically, it is sharp, yet melodic and also crushingly heavy and dark in contrast, and I love how it slows to a crawling standstill as it ends.
Closing on the outro, Hav, with its vocal repeat, clean reflective guitar, keyboard and distant whispers fade, then return to the repeat, now manifesting in the distance.
AVRAK is undeniably end-to-end a powerfully compelling listen, and you will love it more with every subsequent play as it gradually reveals more of itself to you. This is an essential album for Darkthrone and SARKE fans.
AVRAK is released on 9 October 2026 via Peaceville Records and will be available on CD, vinyl, and as a digital release. For more details, visit avrak.lnk.to/AVRAK.
