It is with the utmost disappointment that I must acknowledge that 2025 has been a horrid year for black metal, with basically only the esteemed beacons of negativity at Terratur Possessions and a couple of other guardians of dark light upholding standards and bearing the true flame of the art form.
In fact, earlier this year, we tragically lost one of the movement’s leading figures, as recognized by Loudwire, Mr. Trånn Ciekals of Djevel — an all-around success, a key figure in the opening of Neseblod Records in the building where Euronymous ran the famous Helvete, and a tireless adversary of those whom he perceived as false. As we celebrate Ciekals’ legacy and continue to mourn his loss, weakling bands run rampant, distracting listeners from what’s real and infecting them with the preference for the unchallenging embrace of mediocrity.
But within this near hopeless age for the darkest genre of them all, a time in which we see supposed extreme metal acts opting to avoid controversy and hold hands at the boring safe spaces that most festivals have become, a refreshingly dangerous new beast of an album has emerged: Sarkom’s Exceed In2 Chaos stands as the fearless, bestial triumph we need right now. This uncompromising victory proves so devastating that it will hopefully annihilate any positive feelings you might have about poser bands. Sarkom crushes listeners with pure black energy and in-your-face rebellion.
Sarkom was founded in 2002 as the brainchild of Erik Unsgaard, one of the genre’s most charismatic vocalists, and Mr. Eirik Renton of groups like Trollfest, one of Norway’s finest drummers. We must note that Unsgaard has also emotionally shredded us with the fabulously abysmal vessel that is So Much for Nothing, who have shared a split with Angst Skvadron — the project of the deceased yet immortal Urgehal legend Trondr Nefas. So Much for Nothing’s full-length debut, Livsgnist (2012), should be considered mandatory black metal listening.
Over the years, Sarkom’s lineup has showcased the likes of Renton’s bandmate in Trollfest and the supergroup Jordsjuk dubbed Sagstad, ex-Ragnarok’s Malignant, Den Saakaldte’s Sathan, ex-1349’s Tjalve, etc. On Exceed In2 Chaos, joining Herr Unsgaard, we have the wonderfully sinister presences of Galaaen on lead guitars, Somby on guitars and bass, and, finally, the unsurpassed skin-pounder Dominator of Nordjevel appears as a guest. In the past, Sarkom has featured other all-star guests such as Jordsjuk, Craft, and Koldbrann’s Mannevond; TNT’s Ronni Le Tekrø; Slavia’s Jonas Aus Slavia (Rest in Power); Vinterland’s Pehr Larsson; ex-Negator’s Nachtgarm; The Kovenant’s former member and co-founder Psy Coma; Svarttjern’s HaaN; etc.
These days, Unsgaard composes all of Sarkom’s music, and his clarity of vision is reflected for the full ride of Exceed In2 Chaos. The wait for the product of his brilliance that is Exceed In2 Chaos has seemed impossibly long. However, since Sarkom’s previous full-length, Anti-Cosmic Art (2016), the outfit has entertained us with three thoroughly awesome EPs, which include a couple of cover songs. Unsurprisingly, Exceed In2 Chaos may be added to the long list of reasons why Sarkom is one of black metal’s most fun bands.
Brutality and artfulness entwine on Exceed In2 Chaos. Throughout this fiery and highly varied record, we are presented with tons of surprises; tempo changes; shifts of mood, atmosphere, and intensity; and so forth. Sarkom incorporates much dissonance within their gorgeously organized chaos. An abundance of intoxicating melodies and addictive riffs are woven within the painfully engaging songwriting, keeping us perpetually imprisoned. Fantastic solos seduce audiences as well. Exceed In2 Chaos promises to pump listeners up with adrenaline, and we never know when a disturbingly dance-friendly section will arise.
While Sarkom remains true to the essence of Norwegian Black Metal, Exceed In2 Chaos reflects the outfit’s continued originality; in various positive respects, this album may be described as rather genre-atypical and eccentric. Exceed In2 Chaos is certainly quite progressive in a cool and cohesive way, whereas many current bands experiment in ways that are just plain agitating, dorky, and senseless. Expect to find an assortment of otherworldly atmospheres, and, here and there, one might even detect a bit of an exotic allure. In addition, Exceed In2 Chaos is distinguished by excellent lyrics that possess both introspective and observational qualities, which are greatly appreciated, especially considering how uninspiring and predictable metal texts can be.
Exceed In2 Chaos begins with a winding eight-minute monster of a title track, the record’s first single, that firmly holds us in its chokehold for the course of its duration, quickly making clear that it brings us “schizophrenic art” at its best. This exhilarating gem repeatedly explodes with new life when you think it’s over. Unsgaard, whose vocal assaults are instantly recognizable, delivers an outstanding performance, even hitting us with some unexpected agonizing screams that awaken visions of dungeons and torture chambers. If I said that this song didn’t give me Nidrosian Black Metal vibes at certain points, I would be lying; one might detect an arcane feeling in the uncanny atmospheres.
Next, the second single, the dynamic “Enter as Fool — Exit as Beast,” takes us by storm, highlighting Sarkom’s ability to masterfully craft unbelievably catchy scorchers. This irresistible, groovy number contains a “disco beat” from a rock song that Unsgaard fortunately felt compelled to translate into the context of the most formidable genre; Sarkom’s winning rock n’ roll attitude remains one of the many things we love about this group. Sarkom calls upon listeners to harden up and attacks the glorification of anxiety in our society that seems intent on producing cowards and spreading panic.
If you might have been considering blowing your brains out, “Prime Time Suicide,” with backing vocals by Galaaen, negates that need by blowing your mind. This unique track, with its chanted chorus, stands apart from what we expect to find within the realm of black metal. The song criticizes the self-destructive trend of broadcasting one’s supposed pain for (negative) attention, even laughter, feeding into Schadenfreude: “No secrets are too shameful to reveal / In your desperate search for praise / So sell your morals to the highest bidder and drown / In your own self-pity for maximum exposure.”
Verily, we can all recognize the difference between genuine calls for help and, forgive my language, pathetic online idiocy that blinds us to real problems and creates unnecessary ones. In our era wherein “public bitching” earns much praise, and the toxic elevation of averageness is arrogantly carried to absurd new heights, it always brings a smile to my face when Unsgaard utters the following in a low voice: “You are nothing special and we are all replaceable.”
The eerie, slow, and glacial “Spectral Prophet in a Demonized Dream” then serves as perhaps Exceed In2 Chaos’ greatest anomaly while adding exactly what is necessary for the benefit the greater whole. The intro gives way to Unsgaard’s harsh, semi-whispered vocals with a touch of demonic wails in the background. This leads into dictatorial rhetoric railing against norms, which is immediately met by cheers of approval, cultivating a massive, dystopian feel. The guitars are haunting and a bit ethereal, and the song builds a gripping sense of impending doom.
At over eight minutes, the physically infectious snake-charmer “Be[lie]ve” towers as another grand feat; this partly cold yet oddly inviting track entrances with its ear-candy appeal while ramming into us with a lethal dose of reality. For better or worse, we’ve all encountered a worthless degenerate or two whom we would like to taunt with this all too relatable composition: “Carved to the bone by fraud and dishonesty / Systematically victimized / To gain sympathy and trust / Miserable as fuck — you’re only born to bring disgust.” “Bottomfeeders” then acts as another orgasmic sonic repellent for the bipedal parasites in your life, beginning like a hailstorm of artillery, and, of course, containing delightful twists.
“Chasing Ghosts” instantly hooks us, ultimately amounting to yet another thrilling journey with Unsgaard incorporating war-like shouts. The mood shifts allow rather frenetic moments while the music, minus Unsgaard’s vocals, even sounds rather chill at times. Following on its heels, the glorious and insane “Nemesis” serves as the perfect finale, offering the ideal blend of beauty as well as ridiculously punishing aggression. This tormenting song, which begins and ends with English, contains a long Norwegian section, that, in a transcendent way, has a very nostalgic feeling. “Nemesis” takes us through “an endless tug of war against inner demons” in the devastatingly bleak quest for meaning.
Sarkom is credited with producing Exceed In2 Chaos, and the recording took place in different locations. The whole album was produced extraordinarily well. Thus, while we enjoy a great professional sound, the rawness, passion, and character have been preserved. In other words, the production allows us to appreciate the details, though over-polishing was, of course, prudently avoided. The guitar sound is really lovely, as it should be. The mix, as handled by Jonas Jönsson, seems faultless.
We urge you to watch the video for “Enter as Fool — Exit as Beast,” which was co-directed by Unsgaard and Ksenia Hinderson and edited by the latter. The shooting was carried out by Hinderson with on-set assistance from her husband, Nagash (only the mastermind behind Troll, the driving force of The Kovenant, and a former member of the powerhouse Dimmu Borgir), and Edvin Paulsen. Black metal videos are notoriously difficult to make because, in doing so, one chances achieving epically cheesy results.
However, in this exceptional case, all turned out beautifully, earning Sarkom an invite to the Berlin Music Video Awards. I’m not trying to be kind when I say that I can’t remember a better black metal music video. Granted, I have a soft spot for Sarkom’s “Seen Through the Eyes of a Pedophile Priest,” which could be viewed as the black metal equivalent of London After Midnight’s iconic “Kiss” and, according to yours truly, represents one of the most interesting moments in the genre.
Exceed In2 Chaos boasts a truly awesome and provocative middle finger of a cover by Cursed Art, with whom Sarkom also conspired for Doomsday Elite (2013) and their earlier split with Urgehal. This image is quite far outside what we typically see in the genre, thus making it all the more black metal — if you have been paying attention, then you have surely observed that many of Sarkom’s competitors have made a habit of placing generic yawn-generators passing as pieces of artwork before our eyes.
Indeed, Sarkom has demonstrated their admirable aesthetic judgement time and time again by enlisting visual artists like the revered Mr. Maxime Taccardi, one of the few venerable black metal souls remaining, and Ole Teigen, who has amazed us with his contributions to great bands over the years and also with his solo project. While everyone is bound to interpret the cover of Exceed In2 Chaos differently, I personally choose to link it to the desire for self-destruction and mental derailment caused by modernity and the corrosive effect of our inauthentic world of social media, the least black metal invention of them all.
In short, experience Exceed In2 Chaos, or “Suffer in Silence!” Buy this record from Dusktone here, unless, of course, you are one of those foot-suckers known as Behemoth fans (Yes, that is a direct reference to Mr. Darski’s inexplicable and disgusting behavior…) and would prefer to prolong the self-inflicted misery of remaining ignorant of the meaning of true svartmetall. Expect new nuances to unfold upon each play.
Score: 5/5
