Trollheim: Im Heidenwald Elfgards & Ensomhet Release Overview

Im Heidenwald Elfgards & Ensomhet is a compilation vinyl release by the electronic music project Trollheim. The album collects two rare tape releases originally issued in 1999 and 2000, featuring the work of the artist known as the Black Son of Darkness (BSOD), also recognized for the project Grausamkeit. This release is characterized by its blend of sweeping synth meditations and distorted, drum machine-driven medieval hymns.

Project Background and Artist

Trollheim is a specialized electronic music project helmed by the Black Son of Darkness (BSOD). The project serves as an exploration of atmospheric and "ancient" sounds, distinct from other black metal-related projects by the same creator. The recordings featured on this LP were originally produced at the turn of the millennium, with the first tape appearing in 1999 and the second in 2000.

The artist's work under the Trollheim moniker is described as a "trek through the darkest parts of the soul," utilizing idiosyncratic melodic flourishes that have become a hallmark of BSOD’s various musical outputs.

Album Structure and Content

The LP is divided into two distinct sides, each representing a different facet of the project's sound and its original tape origins.

Side One: Ancient Synth Meditations

The first side of the LP is comprised of two extended tracks. These pieces are designed as "sweeping, ancient synth meditations" intended to pull the listener into a deep, inward state.

• Compositional Style: The music relies on long-form atmospheric structures.
• Melodic Elements: While primarily meditative, the tracks frequently feature the "gloriously idiosyncratic" melodic flourishes characteristic of the Black Son of Darkness.
• Atmosphere: The focus is on creating a sense of ancient, vast space through electronic synthesis.

Side Two: Medieval Hymns and Distortion

The second side shifts toward a more rhythmic and aggressive sound, collecting several shorter pieces. These tracks contrast significantly with the long-form meditations of the first side.

• Instrumentation: This side utilizes distorted synths and drum machine-driven percussion.
• Thematic Focus: The tracks are described as "medieval hymns" that invoke themes of "herbal psycho-sorcery" and "non-ordinary reality."
• Emotional Range: The compositions aim to capture a duality of "pain and ecstasy," reflecting the darker, more visceral side of the Trollheim project.

Production and Technical Details

The modern LP reissue was produced by CW Productions (catalog number CW19). Great care was taken to ensure the audio quality surpassed previous bootlegs or aging tape copies.

• Source Material: All audio for the LP was sourced directly from the original master tapes.
• Audio Enhancement: The recordings underwent technical enhancement by C. Thompson to achieve the highest possible fidelity for the vinyl format.
• Visual Aesthetic: To remain faithful to the original 1999 and 2000 releases, all layout elements for the jacket and the double-sided insert were sourced directly from the original tape artwork.

Physical Specifications and Availability

The release is currently available as a standard Long Play (LP) record. Because this is a music release rather than a software product, platform IDs and control schemes are not applicable; however, the physical format and distribution details are confirmed as follows:

The pricing for the regular edition is set at $25.00 through official distributors like CW Productions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the creator of Trollheim?

Trollheim is an electronic project by the Black Son of Darkness (BSOD), who is also the primary member of the project Grausamkeit.

What is the difference between Side A and Side B?

Side A contains two long, meditative synth tracks focused on atmosphere, while Side B features shorter, distorted pieces with drum machines that resemble medieval hymns.

Is this a new recording?

No, this LP collects recordings originally released on tape in 1999 and 2000. However, the audio has been enhanced by C. Thompson using the original master tapes.