A Blast from the Past: Strid

Despite their fall into oblivion among most of the current black metal milieu, Strid is a seminal act for this genre. Their 1993 demo “End of Life” and particularly their 1994 eponymous EP would establish the formative background for what years later began to be known as “depressive black metal”, together with Burzum’s “Filosofem”. Starting off as a clear-cut Norwegian black metal band named Malfeitor in 1991, already in the first demo under the designation of Strid, the above-mentioned “End of Life”, they commenced to pursue a musical path that distinguished them from most of the more renowned black metal projects of that time. A path that was definitely consolidated in the 1994 EP, presenting us with an atmospheric, melancholic and slow-paced brand of black metal, with shrieking, tormented vocals guiding us along this foggy journey to the farthest recesses of loneliness and misanthropy. Their song “Det Hviskes Blant Sorte Vinder” is one of the best pieces of music I’ve ever heard.

As far as I know, they are still active, regardless of the suicide of their bassist/vocalist Storm in 2001, counting with a Dødheimsgard’s member in their ranks presently. In 2007, they’ve put out a compilation with all Strid’s and Malfeitor’s material. I’d be utterly delighted in case they decided to release some new stuff, but I’m really not sure about the degree of their “activeness” by now.

That being said, I’m posting here their demo and EP. I sincerely hope it ruins your Sunday evening, at least to some extent.  Sit back and unjoy.

"End of Life" (demo 1993)

Strid (EP 1994)

Tracklist:
1.Det Hviskes Blant Sorte Vinder
2.Nattevandring