Gnavhòl
(Indie Recordings)
54:58min
Norway’s NORDJEVEL have been impressing us with their aggressive Black Metal since 2016. Now, their third album “Gnavhòl” hits us like a ton of bricks in the jaw, shattering every bone in the area. They aren’t one of those bands that change things up or mellow things down. They just grab you by the balls, twist and never let go. I saw them play at The Earl in Atlanta, Georgia a few short years ago, and they blew the headliner (who I shall not name) out of the water. It was one of those rare live shows that simply felt right, that simply charge your energy and have you headbanging all in unison. And their albums bring that electricity with them. ‘I Djevelens Skygge’ erupts with no warning. The drums are ricocheting, the guitars are like sawblades, buzzing and ripping. And the vocals are a screeching, wailing array of sublime horredness. ‘Of Rats And Men’ is a similar track that bludgeons us with the goddamn fury of one thousand feral beasts hungry for souls to peel out of the fleshy carcasses of their prey. The third track ‘Satan’s Manifest’, just when you think it may go with more of a steady tempo, blasts off in volcanic brilliance. Each track is different in its own right, but consistently stays the course of the album for a fucking consistant and blistering delivery. ‘Within The Eyes’ and ‘Gnavhòl’ are pure Black Metal angst as ‘Antichrist Flesh’ swirls, drills and molests its way throughout its fucking fabulous existence. ‘Spores Of Gnosis’, ‘Gnawing The Bones’ and ‘Endritual’ don’t let us down. From beginning to end, “Gnavhòl” is a thing of absolute beauty. There are no missteps. There are no annoying pieces of experimentation. There is only pure Black Metal the way we crave it. More info at: www.facebook.com/nordjevelofficial, www.facebook.com/indierecordings.
David Simonton