This is a song called “A Dark Path” from the nature documentary Det Frysende Nordariket, perhaps one of the highest forms of art that used drums and electric guitars:

En mørklagt sti – slynger seg – innover mot – den svarte ås
Der jeg igjen – skal føle denne lyst
Der jeg igjen – begår denne dåd
Fører meg dithen – hvor timene står stille
Tar meg med – dit hvor årene går

Her har prest – og menigmann – stått den store – den store prøve
Her jeg igjen skal føle denne lyst
Her jeg igjen – begår denne dåd
Stien går hit – hvor timene står stille
Stien tar meg med – dit hvor årene går

Jeg bygger her – et monument – her skal – neste døde råtne
Her jeg igjen – skal føle denne lyst
Her jeg igjen – begår denne dåd
Stien går dit – hvor timene står stille
Tar meg med – dit hvor årene går
Årene går
Årene går
Årene går

bringer meg – til kjernen av min drøm…..
….min drøm…..

What happened to the main character in the end?

Where is the place where time stands still?

Interviewer: Do you think there is a “purpose,” or ongoing overall goal, to the process of life?

Vidar Vaer: We’ll have to wait and see. Hopefully I’ll be dead in a few years time (5 years, tops), and I really look forward to it. Although I find great pleasure in observing nature, I welcome death even more.

The communication of the spirit of nature is so strong that the song hovers between impressionism and romanticism. There are only two riffs in the song. Yet they are absolutely credible and efficient. Why?

Because Vidar Vaer’s statement is immersed in honesty. It comes from the heart as a simple message, each phrase corresponding into two riffs:

KEEP GOING – YOU WILL FIND REST

Let’s analyze the syntax:

Riff 1: KEEP GOING

This riff goes down and the descension creates a vertigo that absorbs the listener.

Riff 2: YOU WILL FIND REST

This riff goes up and the ascension creates a meadow that liberates the listener. The tonic changes, so that the riff forms an argument, a “however,” a “but,” making the first phrase complete.

The song finds resolution in its dying breath, where the second riff is slowed down to simulate time standing still: rest has been found.

The above aims to serve as food for thought. We see so many bands overindulging on technicality and wondering through compositions in a meaningless manner. Yet Ildjarn epitomizes meaning with only two riffs that recycle themselves throughout the song.

In the end, although musical education is a necessity, it should not stifle creativity, or occur strictly in conservatories. Music is kilometers; and often we should not harken to those who put dots on paper.

And concerning the meaning of the song, perhaps only by acknowledgement and even longing for death, can we keep going, exert strength and embrace the full potential of living.

A lot of words have been said on those two riffs.

Interview with Vidar Vaer: https://www.deathmetal.org/interview/vidar-vaaer-ildjarn/

Tags: analysis, Black Metal, ildjarn, Morklat Sti, nidhogg