Norwegian Metal

The Fall of Every Season – Amends Review

The Fall of Every Season – Amends Review

By Noctus on March 2, 2013 in 2013, 4.0, Doom Metal, Grau Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, 13 comments

“It’s probably best you let go of every possible expectation of this record that you may have had, because this album simply won’t meet them. Stylistically, anyway. The Fall of Every Season,, the moniker of Marius Strand, has decided to change the idea behind the music so far beyond recognition of his dreary, depression-filled beginnings, that Amends sounds like a completely different band, thank goodness.” Noctus would like to explain this album to you in loving detail, but first he requires you to clear your mind. That means stop thinking of food and sex too!

Vreid – Welcome Farewell Review

Vreid – Welcome Farewell Review

By Madam X on February 23, 2013 in 2.5, 2013, Black Metal, Indie Recordings, Norwegian Metal, Rating, Releases, Reviews, Black Metal, 14 comments

“After the tragic, but remarkably metal, death of their vocalist, Windir was laid to rest in 2004. From its ashes came Vreid (“wrath” in Norwegian), which barreled onto the scene, knocking ten tons of shit out of listeners with machine gun riffage, under the command of ex-Windir bassist Hváll. Vreid have a black metal flavor that bears more than a few striking similarities to the misanthropic, war and history flavored style of Windir. Outside of that, Vreid have riff-heavy, black ‘n roll similarities to the likes of Carpathian Forest, some of the attitude and energy of Borknagar’s Universal album and a blend of the rocking grooviness of Sepultura and the more traditional and melodic elements of Taake, Koldbrann, Ragnarok, and middle earth’s own Carach Angren.” With a list of comparisons like that, you’d think it wouldn’t be possible for Madam X to get angry about this…

Darkthrone – The Underground Resistance Review

Darkthrone – The Underground Resistance Review

By Dr. Fisting on February 22, 2013 in 2013, 3.0, Norwegian Metal, Peaceville, Reviews, 16 comments

My esteemed colleague, Angry Metal Guy himself, wondered aloud if Darkthrone’s recent output was perhaps an attempt at trolling the entire metal community. It certainly does take a sick sense of humor to subject black metal fans to something like The Underground Resistance, and the band has made it increasingly clear that they’re not exactly taking this seriously. But beyond the shits and giggles, it’s clear that Darkthrone exists in a bizarre musical utopia, a world where Bathory, Amebix, Motorhead and Manilla Road are all of equal merit and metal cred. And if you’re unable to summon that kind of open-mindedness within yourself, then perhaps the joke truly is on you.

Retro Reviews: Lumsk – Åsmund frægdegjevar

Retro Reviews: Lumsk – Åsmund frægdegjevar

By Angry Metal Guy on February 19, 2013 in Blog Posts, Norwegian Metal, Retro Reviews, Spinefarm, 16 comments

Metal these days is in an undeniable downswing. Right now very few bands are doing something new, fresh or innovative. Instead, we’re riding a wave of retro metal: retro Swedish death; retro power; retro ’80s; re-thrash. In all the bustle about the latest cult ’70s style doom record that making everyone hot in the britches, I’ve been getting the itch for something new. Unfortunately, with the exception of the occasional glimmer of hope, right now is also a time for those of us who can to turn our eyes backwards. With a backward glance we talk about records that really should not be forgotten, things that were and, given the retro craze, probably will be again. In this case, I am thinking of Lumsk’s debut record Åsmund frægdegjevar.

Crest of Darkness – In the Presence of Death Review

Crest of Darkness – In the Presence of Death Review

By Madam X on February 12, 2013 in 2013, 4.0, Black Metal, Kingdom Music, Melodic Death Metal, Norwegian Metal, Rating, Releases, Reviews, 14 comments

“Anton Szandor LaVey could have been writing about In the Presence of Death when he wrote this line “Each verse is an inferno. Each word is a tongue of fire. The flames of Hell burn fierce” – he wasn’t writing about this album of course, but after spending the week with Crest of Darkness, that’s a damn(ed) fitting description ov their Norwegian melodic black metal style that bears strong music, lyric and vocal similarities to the likes of Naglfar, some vocal similarities to Illnath (Narrenschiff days), has some of the same cvlt blackness of 1349 (pre their directional change) and dare I even say it… a hint or two of Cradle of Filth lurking around.” According to Madam X, you can’t judge this black metal beast by the cheesy album cover. I hear what she’s saying…but DAMN! Is that cheesy or what??

Koldbrann – Vertigo Review

Koldbrann – Vertigo Review

By Madam X on January 30, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, Avante Garde, Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Rating, Releases, Reviews, Season of Mist, Black Metal, 7 comments

“I’ve noticed that the face of Norwegian black metal is a changing, it’s becoming more adventurous, more rock infused, more progressive and God forbid, more accessible [well, it can’t get LESS accessible — Steel Druhm]. I can confirm however, that while they’re not just all about the evil any longer, they definitely haven’t lost sight or forgotten about the mighty Dark Lord Satan! Breath people, all is still right in the world.” How does Koldbrann fit in to this new movement? Follow Madam X on her trend analysis.

Jorn – Symphonic Review

Jorn – Symphonic Review

By Madam X on January 26, 2013 in 2013, 3.0, Frontiers Records, Heavy Metal, Norwegian Metal, Not Metal, Rating, Releases, Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 8 comments

Really? The almighty Jorn Lande needs an introduction? I’m sure Steel Druhm has probably covered this before, but alright, so where to start – He’s the Father of all the Gods and is usually seen with his two ravens close at hand, them being Huginn (Thought) and Munin (Memory) [for pictures of said ravens check out the covers of Spirit Black, Dio, We Bring Heavy Rock to the Land and now of course Symphonic]. I see Wikipedia says he’s the God of magick, wisdom, wit and learning…fkkkkkk wrong Wiki page, that’s what happens when you get your Norse Gods confused (I swear it was the ravens that threw me)!

Enslaved – RIITIIR Review

Enslaved – RIITIIR Review

By Angry Metal Guy on October 1, 2012 in 2.5, 2012, Norwegian Metal, Nuclear Blast, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Viking Metal, Viking Metal, 23 comments

Enslaved has really secured its position in the highest tear of metal bands in the world. Though they started out long ago in the second wave of Norwegian black metal, nothing they’ve done since the late 90s has really represented that faction of their existence. Instead, they’ve become one of metal’s shining examples of a transition from the extreme to the progressive. While doing more to maintain their extremity than a band like Anathema or Katatonia have done, the band’s last full length Axioma Ethica Odini and their EP The Sleeping Gods both lacked extremity while pushing out the borders of the band’s progressive bona fides. I wasn’t sure of what to make of Enslaved’s RIITIIR when it first arrived – but while the record is ostensibly different than the band’s previous work, that mellow, bong-water stain of ’70s progressive rock continues to push further and further from their black metal roots. For the better?