Twelve years have passed by now since the Swedish sickos of NIFELHEIM released their classic self-titled debut album via Necropolis Records. Twelve years in which they first and foremost delivered a bunch of vinyls (a compilation album and split EPs), but only four full length albums, of which “Envoy Of Lucifer” is their newest offering now. I suppose this album, their debut on Regain Records, is probably closest to the musical vision that NIFELHEIM already had ever since the origin of the band, but failed to achieve due to limited musical abilities back then. If you know how much Tyrant and Hellbutcher have worshipped IRON MAIDEN for many many years now, it’s no wonder that these influences would sooner or later find their way into their own material. And on “Envoy Of Lucifer” it definitely shines through more obvious than before. But don’t get me wrong here: NIFELHEIM is still 100% true to their own roots, which means the material is still raw as fuck and totally dispises any modern influences. It’s just that they have adopted the wellknown twin guitar attacks of early MAIDEN (debut album) stronger than ever and perfectly incorporated them into tracks like ‘Open The Gates Of Damnation’ (THE definite hymn of this record, known from the NIFELHEIM / SADISTIK EXEKUTION split EP already!), ‘Storm Of The Reaper’ , ‘Raging Flames’ or ‘No More Lies’. Combined with their own unique brand of harsh thrashing Metal (somewhere in between classic VENOM and early KREATOR with traces of old Black Metal) it results in the most varied NIFELHEIM release to date. Except for ‘Claws Of Death’ (which I don’t get into at all) all of the ten tracks turned out highly impressive and might even gain them a bigger following after all, yet maintaining their loyal fanbase. So, “Envoy Of Lucifer” perfectly proves that there’s in fact way more to NIFELHEIM than just spikes, leather and booze. Great one! www.regainrecords.com