Hedmark – Deer Cross The River (2025)
I was once told that metal music is one of the most cathartic genres – a sound with rage and angst, but a soothing sense of symphony lost in the crashes. I have to admit, bands like Evanescence, Linkin Park, The Used and Rammstein can help with the sigh of relief. Today, I find myself introduced to the metal brainchild of Norwegian Gunnar Kjellsby: Hedmark. A one-man-band from singing and songwriting to production and composition, Hedmark shifts from black metal and post-rock to shoegaze, hard rock and alternative rock with his melodies. Join us as we take a look and listen to the track, ‘Deer Cross The River’.
Taken from his self-titled debut album, ‘Deer Cross The River’ stands alongside songs like ‘Arrive’ and ‘The King Rides’. Not as heavy as ‘Winter Moon’ or ‘Thaulow’ with the ferocity of metal winding through its melody; however, not as light as ‘Funeral Speech’ with a soothing sensation lingering in its heaviness, ‘Deer Cross The River’ finds the point of heavy metal and nu-metal, with a scent of shoegaze lingering in the background.
With its up-and-down ride from hard-hitting, scream-filled metal to a wistful cinematic centre, then the crescendo to face-slamming post-rock while still holding to a soul-stirring breath of refreshing noise, ‘Deer Cross The River’ almost defies definition. What I can say is that within the crashing drums, soaring guitar, and Kjellsby’s lead vocals, a sense of haunting creeps across like a palpable sonic fog, both obstructing your vision and giving you a sense of calm in the mire. The backing vocals, provided by Melina Oz and Embla Maria O’Cadiz Gustad, are sirens calling to you with hushed tones, offering sincerity and seduction in the tempestuous melody.
So, what are my thoughts regarding Hedmark and ‘Deer Cross The River’? A ride of different sounds and styles, ‘Deer Cross The River’ is a song that puzzles but entertains; Hedmark is the same. Highlighting originality and enigmatic diversity, the Norwegian musician has you questioning, but also simply sitting back to listen without any care.
Find out more about Hedmark on his BandCamp and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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