Sheol by Naglfar

Jimmy Weasel - Saturday, 13 September 2003 - Print Version

This album was released ages ago, probably in March, but due to apathy both on my part, and on local distributors, it's only recently fallen into my lap. Released under the "New Hawen" label, Naglfar falls into the category of Swedish Metal.

The mention of such a genre will no doubt cause many folks to stop reading, but that's ok with me. Swedish Metal isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Naglfar's Sheol begins with a near-violent sound, and doesn't stop until the end of the second last track. The last track is some kind of crazed instrumental piece, but I'm not sure I understand its relevance. But more of that later.

Tracks 1 through 8 are some heavy music; with some amazing rhythm changes in just the right spots, as well as some frenzied vocals that seem to match the overall sound quite well. I Am Vengeance, from memory, is downloadable from some place or other, but I forget where, but it's the place I was formally introduced to this piece of work.

The last track is a mystery; synthesised string & drums. A slow, almost dirge of a tune that isn't remotely like the other tunes. Such tracks are found on all black metal albums, sometimes accompanied by a nature-type sample; possibly running water. I was made aware of this concept years ago listening to Mork Grynning, and found it occurring in each album of the same genre. I'm not sure why it exists; Naglfar have made a great album without such a track. Chaotic and loud and all things to be greatly emphasised were crammed into their album, and yet the last song just doesn't seem to match.

To recap: Sheol has rocked my world for the past week, and will no doubt keep doing so. It's fast, abrasive & very Swedish, but the lyrics are in English. Handy for those who are monolingual and don't like harassing random Swedes on IRC for adequate translations.

Jimmy Weasel