Norwegian Metal

Sirenia – The Seventh Life Path Review

By Al Kikuras on May 7, 2015 in 2015, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Gothic Metal, Napalm Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, 49 comments

“Pizza is a sacred thing. When it’s good, it’s damn good. When it sucks, it’s an affront to humanity. An atrocity on a level with the Biafran revolt, just about every Adam Sandler movie, some genocides, and Illud Divinum Insanus. If you’ve read more than one of my reviews here on AMG you will know that I often equate music to food, not just because it is an analogy I think most people relate to, but I love these two things more than even my family members who aren’t reading this right now. The Seventh Life Path may not be my pie of choice, but during my tenure as a music critic, I’ve heard enough from the formative years on to be able to approach an album with at least relative objectivity.” In food, as in music, too much sugar wrecks the palate.

Enslaved – In Times Review

By Angry Metal Guy on April 6, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Nuclear Blast, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Viking Metal, Black Metal, Viking Metal, 33 comments

“Longtime readers of this blog know that I have a fraught relationship with Enslaved. Once one of my favorite bands, these Norwegian Viking metallers’ releases between 2003’s Below the Lights and 2008’s Vertebrae make for one of those unbroken strings of heavy metal glory that few bands ever unleash. Unfortunately for me, since 2008’s masterpiece, the band has released two records (Axioma Ethica Odini and RIITIIR) which left me cold.” So, what’ll it be? Will In Times be another disappointment for Ye Olde Angry Metale Guye?

Arvas – Black Satanic Mysticism Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on April 6, 2015 in 2015, Aeternitas Tenebrarum Musicae Fundamentum, Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 19 comments

“I don’t think it’s any secret that I love me some good ole fashioned black metal. I like it old and cold, trebly and chaotic, raspy and harsh. When done correctly, not even the above-average, desert temperatures can keep my spine from growing cold or force me to remove my Darkthrone hoodie.” Leave it to Satan to keep spines frosty and cold.

Galar – De gjenlevende Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on March 11, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Folk Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Neo-Classical Metal, 14 comments

“Much like rap-rock legends 8ball, Galar got dynamics. A lazy person might describe Galar’s music as “what Windir would sound like if they were a bit sadder, less widdly, and exchanged the cheesy synths for real instruments.” To be fair though, there’s more to them than that.” Need more black in your diet, maybe Galar is for you?

Keep of Kalessin – Epistemology Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on March 10, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Indie Recordings, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 42 comments

“It’s been five years since Norway’s Keep of Kalessin released Reptilian to a ludicrous amount of critical panning stemming from a combination of “The Dragontower” being entered into Eurovision and most critics donning their rose-colored glasses when looking at its two predecessors, Armada and Kolossus.” Still reeling from their Eurovision stunt, KoK is back to reclaim lost territory in Kvltvania.

Kraków – Amaran Review

By Madam X on February 11, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Drone, Norwegian Metal, Not Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Experimental Metal, Post-Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Metal, 9 comments

“Winter is being a Mr. Cold Miser and evenings like these cry out for a glowing fire, the dark notes of a glass of Malbec and some post-metal meandering gloom which, as luck has it, is Norwegian based Kraków’s claim to fame.” Cold and snow may be new to Madam X, but not post-metal. Or wine!

Jorn Lande and Trond Holter – Dracula: The Swing of Death Review

By Steel Druhm on January 19, 2015 in 2015, Frontiers Records, Heavy Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, 85 comments

When word of this rock opera treatment of Dracula from none other than The Rock King and Trond Holter (current guitarist for Rock King’s solo albums) hit the streets, let’s just say there was a difference of opinion between AMG and myself as to the merits thereof. Never much of a Jornophile, AMG wanted no mention of it on his pristine webpage. But how can we ignore a Broadway-inspired concept album about that immortal Lord of Darkness, Dracula Von Impalerstein?” Are you ready for the Dracula Spectacula? Jorn is and he’s chewing on your scenery.

Einherjer – Av Oss, For Oss Review

By Grymm on January 13, 2015 in 2015, Indie Recordings, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Viking Metal, Viking Metal, 13 comments

“Norway’s Einherjer were a band I always meant to check out, but never got around to back in the late 90’s. With all the big releases that were popping up left and right back then, it was hard to keep up in the days before the Internet, and with me being a young’n with limited funds and no means to check out bands save for issues of Metal Maniacs, I was thrown out of the loop on many groups, Einherjer among them.” These chaps are vestiges from the olden days of Viking metal, but once a Viking, always a Viking!

Blindfisted – Blindfisted Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 14, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Crust Punk, Norwegian Metal, Polypus Records, Reviews, Black Metal, Crust Punk, 2 comments

“There is one problem I have with punk/crust/D-beat. It encourages me to fuck shit up. When done right, the music tempts me into driving 100 mph to work, marching into my boss’s office and beating the living shit out of him. While I obviously have some serious psychological issues here (particularly being that I am indeed my own boss), music like this sets my skin on fire and the only cure for this uncomfortable burning sensation is revolution, overthrow and apocalyptic destruction.” Apparently we found crust punk for the angry solo practitioner. Work your own hours and burn shit down.

Taake – Stridens Hus Review

By Madam X on December 10, 2014 in 2014, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 19 comments

“Taake are back and pimping their Norwegian black metal wares as only the gloriously bare chested Hoest can do! Yes you read right, it seems the obligatory three year wait since the release of Noregs Vaapen is over and it’s time for the sixth and newest “exciting” chapter in the band’s extensive catalogue. So what of it?” Bare chested bravado only goes so far in black metal, even if Madam X appreciates it more than most.