Myrkraverk

NAER DØDEN

BLUT & EISEN FREEWHEELING BLACK METAL EXCURSIONS FROM THE WILD HEART OF NORWAY

Formed over 10 years ago, Norway’s Myrkraverk certainly haven’t been in any rush to release this, their debut album. The duo – Imfamroth of Throne Of Katarsis, who handles all vocals and instruments, and drummer Blot – describe themselves as ‘Nasjonalnekromantisk Svart Metall’, a tag that hints at the ambitions at work here. This isn’t a typical black metal album, or one that is particularly easy to digest. A somewhat disparate collection of songs, Naer Døden does occasionally play it straight, with raw, stripped-down and rocking Norwegian black metal à la Darkthrone and Taake – and indeed Hoest and Nocturno Culto appear here as guests. Alongside this, however, is more overtly folky black metal, dense, atonal black noise and equally experimental acoustic folk numbers. The success rate varies as much as the styles but this is definitely recommended for curious BM fans.

FOR FANS OF: TAAKE, JOTUNSPOR,

ISENGARD

DAYAL PATTERSON