For more than thirty years, Hilde ‘Hildr’ Nymoen has been the hidden member of Norwegian Black Metal bands Tulus and Khold, quietly penning behind the scenes all the lyrics for both bands. But now is her time to come to the fore as she releases her complete works for both bands in two separate volumes of poetry. Syner contains her lyrics for Khold and Vintervolve has her lyrics for Tulus.
I do like immensely the clean lines of both volumes, which are presented in hardcover format. Vintervolve, which translates as Winter Völva, is bound in white with a silver embossed design with a rune border and the band’s logo. Syner, which translates as Visions, is bound in black with a gold embossed design, also with a rune border and the band’s logo.
Alongside the original versions of the pieces written in Old Norwegian are, for the majority, English translations. The exception here are the Biography Obscene pieces, which were a brief experiment with English lyrics for Tulus, but thankfully still included in the Vintervolve volume as these are a big favourite with me.
As well as insights behind some of the pieces, one of the things that struck me is whether you read the Norwegian versions (you don’t need to understand the words, just appreciate the flow and form) or the translated versions, that poetic essence remains. It is a joy to compare the two and reflect.
In the same way that Hildr works with the bands providing lyrics, within these pages are, alongside watercolour illustrations and some band photos by Hildr, pen and pencil sketches by her husband Blodstrop/Gard. These not only add interest to the already fascinating pieces but link the bands closer to these works and give a feeling of teamwork between the couple regarding the books.
It reveals an undisclosed, at least to me, talent to the vocalist/guitarist, in particular a superb pencil sketch of a raven at the end of the 2007 Biography Obscene section in Vintervolve.
When I recently reviewed the most recent Tulus album Morbid Desires, I quoted that the self-titled track Tulus lyrically contains “the essence of the band, from the darkness and soot to the pale dawn, the murky fog, the cold in your sweat, and the noise in your heart”, which was a précis quote from the lyrics. But reading the full translation of those lyrics for that piece in the book, you really sense the full weight behind the dark, icy concept of the band.
Both of these books are absolute treasure troves for the imagination, often inspired by the beauty as well as harshness of nature and the even harsher nature of humanity. Whilst sometimes the words are intriguingly obscure, allowing one’s own imagination to fill in the gaps, for clarification, there are also additions of information behind the inspiration of some of the pieces.
In particular, in Syner regarding Khold’s 2024’s Du dømmes til død, which is about actual people, places, and events linked to executions, particularly beheadings and witch burnings in Norway between 1500 and 1876.
One of the more moving pieces for me is a historical tragedy personal to Hildi, in Vintervolve, the loss of a firstborn son by her six times great-grandmother in the piece Samuelsbrenna.
Across both volumes she explores a broad range of subjects, aspects of ancient mythology, folklore, witchcraft and history, plague and battle topics and the various manifestations of death and darkness, as befits great Black Metal lyrics but creating pieces that are both emotive and evocative as well as psychologically unnerving.
This is something that makes her words stand out amongst her fellow Black Metal lyricists, so it is no surprise she was recently cited amongst the top lyricists of the genre. There is no denying that her words have shaped both bands.
They say that behind every great man is a great woman, but in this case, I think there’s an even greater woman behind two great bands.
Syner and Vintervolve, lyrics, additions and translations by Hildr ‘Hildr’ Nymoen, are both out now. They are available to buy individually or as a set by emailing hargforlag@gmail.com.
