The Danish black metal band Frelser, whose name translates to “Savior”, is a relatively new force emerging from the Scandinavian black metal underground. Formed in 2024 and hailing from Sjælland, Denmark, they just signed to Vendetta Records in Germany and will release later this year.
What immediately sets Frelser apart is the pedigree of its members. L. Omnicrusher (bass/vocals), R. Inquisitorturer (drums), and M. Antecursor (guitar/vocals) have all previously played in the acclaimed Danish band Serpents Lair — a legacy that explains the musical maturity and emotional weight present in their sound. This isn’t the work of newcomers still trying to find their identity; this is the vision of seasoned artists channeling years of experience into something both brutal and meaningful.
That vision manifests powerfully on their debut album, Afgrundprofeti (“Abyss Prophecy”) — a title that already signals the bleakness and gravity of what lies within. The album is drenched in existential dread, apocalyptic imagery, and spiritual estrangement. Each composition unfolds like a ritual: repetitive, entrancing, and slowly building toward inevitable release. The riffs are cold and razor-sharp but never chaotic; the drumming is relentless yet precise; the vocals resemble the sermons of a mad prophet, teetering between fervor and collapse.
Frelser refuses to be boxed into a single stylistic category. While clearly rooted in traditional black metal, they do not shy away from atmospheric or doom-laden elements. Their soundscape is one of tension and immersion — music that is not merely listened to, but endured. It grips the listener with a sense of unease that lingers long after the final note.
Thematically, Afgrundprofeti delves into decay, damnation, and the illusion of salvation. In this context, the name Frelser takes on a grim, almost ironic tone: a savior not here to redeem, but to judge — a prophet not pointing to the light, but revealing the inevitability of darkness.
With some English track titles but lyrics primarily in Danish, Frelser manages to deliver their high-speed black metal with surprising clarity and purpose. Their style is firmly rooted in the fast Scandinavian black metal tradition, offering all the rawness, cold atmosphere, and spiritual bleakness we crave — but Frelser brings more than just textbook aggression. There’s a palpable urgency and conviction in their sound that grips the listener and refuses to let go.
Some of the material on Afgrundprofeti first appeared on their Demo MMXXIV, released last year. That early offering already hinted at something special brewing in the Danish underground. Alongside three original tracks, the demo featured a respectful yet forceful cover of Darkthrone, paying homage to one of their key influences while staying true to their own artistic identity.
Highlights abound. The ferocious and anthemic Fresler!, the hammering, monolithic Lidelsens Glorie (“The Glory of Suffering”), and especially the closing track Amor Fati — a brooding, almost philosophical final blow that ends the album on a weighty, unforgettable note. It’s clear that this band knows exactly what it wants to express, and how to craft that vision into sound.
Luckily, the German label Vendetta has taken Frelser under its wing and will release the album later this year. Afgrundprofeti deserves to be pressed on heavy 180-gram pitch-black vinyl, handled with the care and respect this kind of work demands. Because if this debut proves anything, it’s that Frelser isn’t just another new name in black metal — this is a band with vision, potential, and a voice that must be heard.
90/100
Frelser:
Bandcamp
Facebook
Instagram
Vendetta Records:
Bandcamp
Instagram
Facebook
Website