By: Anders

Posted: Aug 6, 2005

The Swedish army of Naglfar is now ready with their 4th full length onslaught. The band has always stood for high quality melodic death metal, with a grim touch of black metal. Before the recording of this album, the band's lead vocalist left Naglfar, to concentrate on his studies, and left the role to Kristoffer W. Olivius. Not a completely unknown role for him though, as he always has done some of the vocal parts for the band, and he was the lead vocalist in Setherial.

The band got hold of their style with their first album "Vittra", and since then Naglfar has been developing their branch of blackened death metal. The culmination must be reached with this album. The melodies are faster, colder and more breathtaking than before. There are some really good leads on the album and the basic riffs are heavy and crushing. The atmospheres are skilled and mysterious, many of them makes me think of guitarist Marcus "Vargher" Norman’s earlier band Throne Of Ahaz. The drumming is hard hitting and varied, the same goes for the rhythm patterns. On top of the darkness are the vocals, and they are actually quite good and carries the torch on. Furious, filled with hate and spite.

Production-wise the album is great as well. The sound is heavy and brutal, and the guitar leads and melodies go straight through the wall of brutality and speed. The mix is well balanced, and the elements are placed so the makes a gruesome all out attack on the listener.

This is the most whole and varied album Naglfar has delivered. The only negative things that can be said are the bit to obvious influences from Throne Of Ahaz, one should think Marcus Norman had written more music on this album, than before, and the Marduk sounding bits and pieces here and there. Those things are not bad in the meaning of the word; the parts fit perfectly on the album and are great. Though not so original, but hell as long as it is well played and hard hitting, that is the most important thing. It is not the easiest thing to be original nowadays, but Naglfar does pass that test pretty well. Naglfar fans this is a sure buy for you, and the rest of melodic death and black metal fans, you'll most likely enjoy this album as well.

Rating: 9/10

Naglfar website

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