Formed in 2022 in Gothenburg, Sweden, Lömsk is a black metal band that follows in the dark and melancholic tradition of the nowdays Scandinavian scene. The band, whose members use military pseudonyms: The Captain, The Major, The Lieutenant and The Colonel - has developed a universe marked by themes related to war, chaos and desolation. After laying the foundations for their identity with a few early releases, the band took a new step forward with the release of its first full-length album, Act II – Of Iron and Blood, released on 6 March 2026 via Vendetta Records on digital, CD and vinyl formats.
So, Act II – Of Iron and Blood is an album consisting of nine tracks with a total running time of 47 minutes and 46 seconds. Musically, it is fairly classic black metal in its approach, but enriched with a dense atmosphere and prominent melodies, without ever falling into excess. The instruments often evolve at fast tempos, although some passages adopt a heavier and more ponderous rhythm. The album's structure is well constructed: melodic and melancholic moments are intertwined with more raw and aggressive sequences, supported by imposing blast beats and raging vocals that sometimes reveal both ferocity and a certain form of regret. In some ways, Lömsk's music is reminiscent of bands such as 1914 or Kanonenfieber.
So now I'm going to describe how I felt while listening to it, highlighting the key moments that particularly struck me. The album opens with Fields of Elysium, which from the very first seconds creates an atmosphere that is both melancholic and aggressive, thanks to repetitive notes that immediately captivate the listener. From 2:34 onwards, an oppressive heaviness sets in, reinforcing the emotional impact of the track. The track Of Iron and Blood maintains this same spirit and, at 4:22, a narration plunges the listener into a real atmosphere of war.
With Requiem of Fire, I particularly loved the introduction and the impressive drum performance. The track adopts a direct and intense style, and at 4:13, I was struck by the structure of the composition and the sounds of war in the background that enrich the atmosphere. Next comes Entropia, an essential track on this album. What I appreciated most was its mevolution over the course of seconds: it is a complex track where the vocal performance reaches its peak. It is also one of my favourite tracks. Next, The Gathering Storm, an instrumental track, further reinforces the atmosphere of war that has been established from the beginning, with certain sounds that exude an aura of tension mixed with fear.
Chimaera picks up pace right from the start, with imposing blast beats. From 2:54 onwards, an instrumental demonstration particularly caught my attention, before concluding at 3:39 with a remarkable vocal performance. Stare into the Void is a heavy track that unfolds a melancholic and tormented soundscape. The next track, Furia, which is also the longest on the album, is both melodic and raw. Although this contrast characterises the entire album, the drums are particularly phenomenal on this track. From 6:36 onwards, the composition completely captivated me, thanks in particular to the background melodies that fill the atmosphere with an almost overwhelming heaviness. Finally, the album concludes with The Silence Thereafter, which closes this musical chapter in epic tragedy.
My three favourite tracks: Of Iron and Blood, Entropia and Furia
Chack out my annual Black Metal playlist on Spotify, the track Furia was added there
