Formed back in 2009, Swiss black metal band Hån has returned after an almost five-year absence with their second full length Breathing the Void. Despite their country of origin, one listen to this latest effort might have you convinced that this group is actually from Finland as their raw yet melodic approach to the genre recalls the shriller, icier tonality of classic Finnish acts. Although it may not deviate too far from what you would expect from this more traditional variant of black metal, this is still a polished effort that is drenched in a darker and mysterious atmosphere and that’s sure to appeal to fans of the style.
Intro tracks can be a bit hit or miss depending on how a band incorporates them, but in Hån’s case the intro draws you into the album with an acoustic melody and what sounds like someone breathing and choking into complete darkness. It’s a moodier piece that leaves you wondering exactly where the group will take the darkness and unease of the intro, and the title track quickly answers that question with abrasive yet melodic riffs and pounding drums that fall somewhere between the second-wave Norwegian black metal style and Finland’s shriller tonality. Despite bring from neither of these countries Hån is able to capture the atmosphere and intensity well, and there are some haunting melodies that swirl over top of the more abrasive foundation. “Goatman” in particular brings Satanic Warmaster to mind with its driving rock-like tempo and tonality that will have you shivering like you’re in the middle of a blizzard. While Breathing the Void is consistent from beginning to end, it does admittedly begin to fall into a pattern on some tracks and I did find some of them hard to tell apart. The aforementioned “Goatman” stands out as a highlight though, as does the surprising transition to a much lighter and melodically driven tone on closer “Salvation” which sounds much closer to depressive black metal at times.
Vocalist Gnist suits Hån quite well, as he has the type of higher-pitched and raspier scream that stands tall above the instrumentals and brings plenty of jagged edges to the album. While black metal of this variety has tended to bury its vocals in the mix, on Breathing the Void the screams are given the spotlight regularly and this helps to bring up the intensity to its most potent level. Although the overall pitch doesn’t deviate significantly over the course of the album, Gnist is able to shake things up enough from one verse to the next that the performance avoids feeling repetitive. The approach may be familiar, but the screams are consistently bone chilling and work to the band’s advantage overall.
There are some strong individual moments throughout Hån’s sophomore effort, but also songs that blend together in their approach and this keeps the album from having quite as much potency as some of the classics. Fans of the shriller and colder tonality of Finnish black metal are still likely to find plenty to like about this material and there is a definite sense of polish and razorlike precision to what this group has written, but it does feel like the best is still to come. Breathing the Void is available from Northern Silence Productions.
-Review by Chris Dahlberg
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