Of all the depressive black metal bands that have been formed since the genre’s accidental inception on Burzum’s 1992 debut, Veil was one of the best. It was formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 2003 by Stolzträger. One year later, they released a short promo, and just three months after that, they released Dolor, an outstanding work of art.
The demo’s title means a feeling of great sorrow, which perfectly describes the atmosphere of the music. The distortion is harsh and abrasive. It feels like a thousand negative thoughts gnawing away at your mind. Stolzträger drinks deeply from Burzum’s well. The songwriting is slow-paced but thoughtfully crafted. The drums play simple, dirge-like beats, the best of which are found on the aptly named “Dirge”. The vocals consist of an echoing howl that is full of anguish. The guitars are amazing. The chord progressions and tremolo riffs have a tone that is steeped in despair, a feeling that is further reinforced by how the riffs are constructed. The band also uses repetition to create a hypnotic effect, as if you’re being pulled deeper and deeper into darkness.
One year later, Veil got picked up by Stellar Winter Records, the same label that made a name for itself by distributing the works of the Blazebirth Hall. They gave Dolor a proper release and even included the bonus track “Endless Night”. Thurisaz joined the group in 2007, and one year later, they released Sombre, which featured cover art by Sigrun Hammersdottir.
The most obvious difference one will notice when listening to this album is the production, which is not as abrasive as their previous release. It’s a lot more hazy, but it’s still incredibly atmospheric. It makes you feel like you’re wandering through a snowstorm alone at night. The songwriting is also much more developed. They have gone from sounding like Burzum to developing their own musical identity. The drums still stick to playing slow beats, but they’re more detailed as they feature more cymbal work and even some double bass on songs like “Resilience”. Thurisaz handles vocal duties this time around. His howls are drenched in reverb and sound more ghostly. Sometimes the gloomy atmosphere is reinforced with keyboards like on “Resilience”, or clean guitars like on “Hope”. The guitars are still the best part. The riffs are still quite minimalist, but they’re more refined and have more diversity. They even play slow, simple solos that sound extremely powerful. My favorite is the one in the last third of “To Die Alone”. I still remember that solo after all these years.
Veil broke up four years after the release of Sombre. It’s unfortunate that they ended so soon, but the music they left behind is some of the greatest depressive black metal ever made. The songwriting and instrumental work are incredible and the atmosphere it creates is sublime. Few could ever hope to be as skilled, heartfelt, and creative as them. If you’re a fan of the genre, then you owe it to yourself to listen to this band.