Review by Fernando on March 27, 2022.

Australia is an interesting country when it comes to black metal. Much like the USA, there isn’t a defined style outside of the blackened thrash scene, and many bands and projects mostly focus on themselves, which is good, since not having a blueprint or guide to force artists to think outside preconceptions. That was certainly the case for "Celtic black metal" project Varw, who released their debut Wights Of The Barrow Fume through Dark Adversary Productions back in 2021.

Varw, is a self described Celtic black metal project which features vocalist, guitarist and artist Greallach, with Balam of Pestilential Shadows fame handling the rest of the instruments. And the tag of “Celtic black metal” is really appropriate because the band aren’t playing flutes and whistles type pagan folk metal, nor are they just run of the mill black metal. The most distinct and unique aspect of this record is the use of acoustic guitars and very heavy atmospheres, while at the same time featuring a very somber and vicious style of black metal. While having a distinct line between the black metal tracks and the instrumental acoustic tracks does make the album have two very different sides, where Varw truly shines is how the acoustic and harsh songs perfectly complement each other.

The band very cleverly arranged the album in order for each song to flow organically from the acoustic and atmospheric, into the harsh and forlorn, furthermore, the bulk of the album are the pure black metal tracks. That being said I wouldn’t call the instrumental tracks interludes, because they aren’t. The overall atmosphere and direction of the entire album is consistent and the two sides of the album are at the end of the same coin.

In terms of instrumentation, the black metal songs are indeed, pure black metal with clear reverence for the second wave out of Norway and some Polish influence. Varw don’t conform to simply rehash the past, for one, the band managed to strike this balance of having actual hooks and excellent riffs, while creating a very intense atmosphere, and without being repetitive or overly dronning. The wall of sound the guitars and bass create is very dynamic and epic, but also maintaining a raw and harsh sound, while also being brief and compact. Another interesting aspect is the balance between Greallach’s vocals and the music as a whole, in many ways this could’ve been an instrumental album, but make no mistake, Greallach’s vocals are indeed a key component of the overall sound. The extended instrumental sections actually serve to make Greallach’s screeching wails more impactful, and likewise, the absence of said vocals also make the instruments stand out even more. That last regard also applies when the choir-like vocals show up and further enhance the more grandiose and epic side of the music. Praising Balam’s skills are an understatement since the man’s credentials speak for themselves, and while carrying the lion’s share of the instrumentation is no mean feat, his bass and drum work being his major standouts, what’s impressive is how the music doesn’t come off as a case of two dudes separately doing their job, both Greallach and Balam as a duo make this album work.

Overall, for a debut record this is impressive and awe inspiring, mainly because this is truly the work of two artists collaborating in earnest. Varw used the tried and true foundations of black metal to create something unique and distinct, equal parts furious and unrelenting, as well as somber and majestic. This is how black metal evolves.

Best tracks: 'Väki', 'Aes Sidhe', 'The Forest Is Wet With Spirits', 'Ankou', 'Yan Gant Y Tan'

Rating: 9 out of 10