Kåre André Sletteberg of In The Woods… on their new album “Diversum” and much more!

In The Woods…

Norway’s In The Woods… have had a much storied trajectory over the spectrum of time since forming in the early 90s. Early on they were black metal to the bone but as many bands have done, they morphed into a progressive rock band with a black metal heart. And it has paid off in spades. One listen to Diversum and it’s clear they have a hard grasp on what it means to age with grace and distinction. It’s an epic journey that begs repeat listens and now that the weather here in the States has turned colder, it’s like a warm blanket and a spiked cup of coffee. Buke recently sat down with guitarist and keyboardist Kåre André Sletteberg to find out more about the band and the album, and as always, a whole lot more. We now bring you this conversation in its entirety so grab your beverage of choice and enjoy.

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Album Review: In the Woods… — “Diversum”

in the woods - diversum

If they had done nothing but their seminal 1997 release Omnio, Norway’s In the Woods… would still sit at the table of the genre’s movers and shakers, creating a fresh mix of black metal, doom, folk, and progressive metal that didn’t sound like anyone else at the time. The 17 year gap between albums that led to 2016’s Pure was almost too much to bear, but the wait was worth it, and since then the band has shown it doesn’t intend to let that gap come again, even as members come and go. Latest offering Diversum may feature a new vocalist in Bernt Fjellestad, but the core from 2018’s Cease the Day (reviewed here) remains and the music is just as driving, somber, and heavy as anything the band has released to date.

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CANTO: 200 Stab Wounds, Ghost Bath, Obituary, and More


I missed this yesterday because I was Oceaning and Katatoning… and it was glorious.

  • Metal Blade Records has announced a new member to their roster, in 200 Stab Wounds. This… is awesome. Check out a new track called “Masters of Morbidity” here. All this comes as they set out on their co-headlining tour with Undeath, with support from Enforced and Phobophilic.
  • Ghost Bath have announced a co-headlining tour with Harakiri For The Sky, and having seen them live before, I can speak to this being one everyone should try and make happen. Anyway, those dates are next April and May, so you have a little while to get your shit together.
  • This came through yesterday, but I wasn’t around so you’re getting it now. Death metal legends Obituary are releasing a new album on January 13 through Relapse Records titled Dying of Everything. Give “The Wrong Time” a listen here. It’s solid. Just my very unprofessional opinion.
  • And this came through two days ago. Thy Art Is Murder announced the “Decade of Hate” tour early next year with Kublai Khan, Undeath, I Am, and Justice For The Damned. That is… immense. Good stuff.
  • I’ve been really into the new stuff emerging from In The Woods… lately, so we’ll head into the weekend with their new single titled “Master of None”. As a reminder, Diversum, is out on November 25 through Soulseller Records.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
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CANTO: Dimmu Borgir, Defleshed, He Is Legend, and More


It’s a Friday, so by the time you read this I’ll probably already be three beers deep.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
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Initial Descent: June 19-25, 2022

Andy Marshall of SAOR

Man, it’s been a while since I did one of these. I think I pulled a muscle just typing that last sentence. But, our fearless leader Josh is taking a very, VERY well-deserved vacation, so you’ve got me for this edition. I’ll try not to disappoint too much. Lucky for you, (maybe?) there are some bands I know releasing stuff this week! We start with Saor, who returns with full-length No. 5, Origins. I still fondly remember the early days of this blog, when Corey and I didn’t know about folky black metal and thus promptly had our minds blown by the band’s then-new album, Aura. Good to see ’em back. Let’s see, who else… oh! Khold! Pretty sure I know them! The Norwegians return with their first full-length slab of black metal in almost eight years. Not into black metal? How about some good, old-fashioned Swedish death? Well, good news: Paganizer is also back this week! We also have a highlight that… isn’t really metal, per se, but still kinda exciting: the first reunion album from Canadian post-hardcore legends Alexisonfire. That’s just four highlights, so you know what to do from here: hit the link below and peep the full list!

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