Djerv - Self Titled
Djerv
CD Info
2011
Indie Records
9 Tracks
English Lyrics
It’s always sad when good bands break up. Even worse is when you just discover an amazing band and they break up that very same day. Now that’s disappointment. Well, that’s my experience with the Norwegian band Animal Alpha, who not only impressed me with their clever songwriting and creative music videos, but also with the amazing abilities of vocalist Agnete Kjølsrud. Curious to see what she was up to after Animal Alpha broke up, I eventually discovered Djerv, a new band she formed with fellow Norwegians Erlend Gjerde (Stonegard) and Stian Kårstad (Trelldom), and I can say without a doubt that I was ecstatic about what I heard. Last year, the band released the three-track EP/demo Headstone that featured catchy melodies combined with hard-hitting yet groovy riffs and Agnete’s one of a kind vocals. But that was only a taste of what was to come. Djerv recently released their self-titled debut album and it most certainly does not disappoint.
All three tracks from the original EP are featured on the album, but the rest of this record is full of equally intriguing tracks. Right off the bat we’re hit with the epic scream that starts off "Madman," which goes right into a pounding riff and Agnete’s extreme singing. This is probably the heaviest song on the album, but the pace hardly slows down with the more rocky, yet uptempo "Bowling Pin." Djerv moves flawlessly between heavier metal tracks like "Headstone" and "Ladder to the Moon" to softer dark rock songs like "Only I Exist," while managing to hit everything in between and even showing off some black metal influences. Agnete goes from aggressive screams and shouts to soaring or crooning vocals not only throughout the album, but usually within the same song. Combine that with the same catchy melodies and groovy riffs we heard on the Headstone EP, and it all makes for an interesting and unique combination.
As far as albums go, this is a short one, clocking in at a mere 38 minutes. This, however, is not necessarily a bad thing. Though Djerv exhibits a unique sound and good songwriting, any more than the nine tracks offered here might be considered overkill. As good as it is, it can get old fairly quickly. All the tracks have something new and interesting to offer, but while listening to the album, I find that I blank out somewhere in the middle. Maybe it’s just me, but though the songs are good while I’m listening to them, I have a hard time recalling some of the melodies. Songs like "Madman" and "Headstone" are memorable enough, but every time I listen to "Abmuse" or "Blind the Heat," it’s almost like I’m hearing it for the first time. Despite this, however, Djerv’s self-titled debut is still a quality record and most certainly worth a listen. No doubt we’ll be hearing more from this band, and hopefully soon!
Standout tracks: "Madman" "Bowling Pin" "Headstone" "Gruesome Twosome" "Ladder to the Moon."
8 / 10
