Artist: Galghe
Country: Belgium/The Netherlands
Label: Merg&Been
Format: Demo tape
Year: 2025
Galghe is a rather new spiritual vessel in which J. and P., both also members of Vergankelijk, once again join forces. These members have vast experience in the Metal scene of the lowlands, in case of J. amongst others in Nether and Insanity Reigns Supreme and of P. in Corpusculum, Inverted Pentagram, Wurgilnõ and more. With Galghe, the duo aims to extend their collaboration in a vessel in which, as they state themselves, loss, impermanence, historical reflection and human tragedy take center stage. And ‘Bloed Eed’ is their first demo.
After the ambient instrumental ‘Het Mes’ has set the tone, the first part of the title track takes off in rather ferocious fashion. In ‘Bloed Eed I’ there is a clear Pagan atmosphere to the music. Without sounding directly like any of them, it reminds me mostly of some of the more atmospheric Black Metal bands from Norway (i.e. early Ulver, Enslaved, Satyricon and the likes). Compared to the other members’ projects, musically Galghe is much less Doom oriented than Vergankelijk and a bit more straightforward than Wurgilnõ, and overall revolves around a more epic vibe. There is no fear to repeat sections for an extended duration, aiming to induce an entrancing atmosphere. Clearly, the music is about storytelling, with P.’s recognisable raspy throat at the center of it all. Both ‘Bloed Eed I’ and ‘Bloed Eed 2’ are lengthy tracks that clock in over 10 minutes, but the compelling atmosphere and subtle variations are a clear sign of two experience musicians that are more than aware how to keep the listeners engaged. Of the two, ‘Bloed Eed 2’ employs a slower pace and embedded melancholy amongst the heathen atmosphere. Similarly setting the tone with structures around repeating riffs, a few twists towards more dissonant territories manage to keep you on your toes throughout the track. ‘Ze Vraten Hun leiders’ then employs the quickest pace of the demo with catchy subcutaneous melodies and rasping shrieks.
With a sound more based around and epic and Pagan atmosphere, Galghe seems further intent to tell a story through a Black Metal soundscape. They aim to hypnotize the listener, not unlike how we as little kids were compelled at listening to the stories told by our grandparents, or perhaps around a campfire in the deep of the night. While the exact stories behind the tracks on ‘Bloed Eed’ remain veiled in mysteries, it has certainly left me intrigued.
