Norwegian Metal

Drottnar – Monolith Review

By Holdeneye on February 12, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Endtime Productions, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 237 comments

“No matter one’s perspective on Christianity, it is hard to ignore the fact that its central theme of life emerging from death is built into the very fabric of our universe. Cells, plants, animals, worlds, stars, galaxies all die, their remains either fueling or becoming an integral part of something else. You don’t have to believe any specifics of the faith to see the beauty in accepting this death/life paradox and finding meaning in the metaphor. Norwegian band Drottnar seem to have a firm grip on this paradox of constant change and renewal as their 20-plus-year existence has been one of continual metamorphosis, starting as a standard death metal band and mutating into a hard-to-describe whirlwind of blackened complexity that explores Christian themes on their two previous full-lengths.” Rebuild to renew.

Flight – A Leap through Matter Review

By Lord Doom on January 13, 2019 in 2018, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, High Roller Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 65 comments

Two N00bs take a pass at Flight’s sophomore outing, A Leap Through Matter and it’s retro 70s goodness. So many N00bs, so little waiting.

Misotheist – Misotheist Review

By Doom_et_Al on January 5, 2019 in 2018, Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Terratur Possessions, Black Metal, 61 comments

“At its cold heart, black metal is supposed to be angry, dangerous, uncomfortable. And while the genre has broadened to include some generally more benign (and often very enjoyable) off-shoots of the originally evil vision, Misotheist, hailing from Trondheim in Norway, have arrived to remind us of how dark and malevolent black metal can be. The band, whose name means “Hatred of God,” combine the blasphemy of Batushka with the frozen hellscapes of Havukruunu, sprinkled with some dissonant elements of Deathspell Omega. Anonymous members playing evil music in black cloaks emphasize that the lush landscapes of some recent atmoblack albums are as absent as warmth on a Scandinavian midwinter day.” Miso thorny.

Beaten to Death – Agronomicon Review

By Dr. Wvrm on December 18, 2018 in 2018, Grind, Mas-Kina Recordings, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, 51 comments

“The Norwegians’ 2015 masterclass Unplugged earned every bit of praise it received as it ruined thousands of scoliosis patients’ dreams of reaching the top shelf. I’ll say it up front: fourth record Agronomicon doesn’t top it, doesn’t even try. But don’t you dare to call it inferior; if anything, Agronomicon testifies to Beaten to Death’s staying power as a force in the grind scene.” The list beating goes on and on.

Obliteration – Cenotaph Obscure Review

By Saunders on December 3, 2018 in 2018, Death Metal, Indie Recordings, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Death Metal, 47 comments

“Obliteration hail from Norway and boast an esteemed pedigree, garnering loads of underground cred and respect. Unfortunately I hadn’t heard of the band until recently and still have much catching up to do. But after listening to 2013’s Black Death Horizon I was impressed with their style. And with a name like Obliteration I expect some goddamn punishing, murky, blood and pus filled death. And in this regard, Obliteration certainly don’t disappoint.” Blood and pus for all.

Mayhem – Grand Declaration of War Remixed and Remastered Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on November 29, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Black Metal, 78 comments

“It’s odd being given the task of “reviewing” a record that, if it were a person, would be in the age of majority. Mayhem’s Grand Declaration of War has remained a controversial record for arguably black metal’s most controversial band, and this remixed and remastered version is unlikely to change anyone’s mind on the contents. These contents were ably highlighted by Angry Metal Guy himself, and while him and I disagree on a lot, we agree on the merits of this record.” Grand remastering?

In the Woods… – Cease the Day Review

By Mark Z. on November 21, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Debemur Morti, Norwegian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Progressive Metal, 32 comments

“There have been so many strong comebacks in recent years that it actually seems more notable when one doesn’t go well. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to In the Woods…. In the 1990s, this Norwegian quintet captivated listeners with three albums that ranged in style from black metal to prog rock to avant-garde, all while maintaining an esoteric aura that was somehow only strengthened by their dissolution in 2000. Sadly, after their 2014 reformation, Woods released the disappointing Pure in 2016, a vapid piece of experimental doom metal that probably didn’t even deserve the 2.5/5.0 I gave it at the time.” Comeback redux.

Hex A.D. – Netherworld Triumphant Review

By Doom_et_Al on November 14, 2018 in 2018, Doom Metal, Fresh Tea, Norwegian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, Progressive Metal, 26 comments

“It’s a great time to be a doom fan. It feels like the genre is going through a burst of creativity at the moment. Bands who are failing to keep up, however, can find themselves left by the wayside. Hex A.D. is a quartet hailing from Norway, and their first two albums, Even the Savage Will See Fair Play and The Last Nail in the Coffin Lid consisted of fairly run-o’-the-mill sludgy, stoner doom. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but there was little to distinguish them from many of their peers. Their latest effort would have to offer something tastier than their previous platters to distract me from the doom buffet of 2018.” Take all you want, but eat all you take.

Leonov – Wake Review

By Twelve on November 9, 2018 in 2018, Doom Metal, Fysisk Format, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Doom Metal, 25 comments

“Leonov’s promotional material describes their music as “celestial doom,” which intrigues me greatly. What is celestial doom? What does it mean? Are we contemplating the small, brief existence of mankind in the vastness of space? Are we exploring the ideas of loss and nothingness? I have no idea. My attention has been captured nicely here, but can Leonov follow through?” This here Nameless_n00b sure does ask a lot of questions. Does he have answers? Only a click on this link can tell!

Hank Von Hell – Egomania Review

By Huck N Roll on November 6, 2018 in 2018, Century Media, Glam Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Glam Metal, 53 comments

“November: the time of year when Madam X rules the roost with her iron fist. Meaning, this month I’m taking my orders from her, and the first order of business is this Hank Von Hell record. Name ring a bell? It does if you were (or for some reason still are) a Turbonegro fan. Von Hell, then known as Hank Von Helvete, sang for those punky fellows for seventeen years and six records, then stepped away for a variety of reasons both sordid and domestic. His short-lived band, Doctor Midnight & the Mercy Cult, put out an album in 2011, and then he faded away again until now, where we are presented with Egomania.” Turbo ego.