Dark Throne ‘The Cult is Alive’ Peaceville 2006
	The virtual inflexible sound of Dark Throne has instigated wave after wave of similar minimalism across the globes Black metal fraternity. With this, the bands 12th album, the uncomplicated, infectious songs tread familiar ground, although a groove element is injected into a couple of the tracks that allude to the Satyricon directive, [that of making Black Metal more accessible to the masses] This applies especially to the, Too Old, Too Cold, track. [Also put out on EP, for that very reason] Then there is the caustic nihilism of, The Cult of Goliath, pure Dark Throne, to be pushed aside by the soapy, Graveyard Slut.
The Cult is Alive, is not as forceful as the previous, Sardonic Wrath, yet far more purposeful than, Goatlord, or Ravishing Grimness. The trouble with The Cult is Alive, is that here we discover a band attempting to expand from the entity they are worshiped for, an unavoidable curse that stains the former as it transcends towards the latter. [Not that the band gives a shit, but unfortunately some fans might] Dark Thone this unmistakably is, and for most of us a very decent continuation of a Black Metal legacy stretching back to the scenes very birth.
Draugsang ‘Seil Pa Skyggans Hav’ Northern Silence Records
	A stunning raw to the bone Viking inspired MCD, that features three pure Norwegian Black Metal songs, each harking back to the classic era of medieval Satyricon and, In the Woods. You can smell the hoarfrost biting the flesh as the dragon ships crash through the ice waves of the North. It is the very obscure nature of this release that allows its emotion to flow. The songs are slow, wrapped in subtle keyboards and intricate guitars and a vocal delivery straight from the grave. With quality music like this still rising from the Norwegian Black Metal genre, there can be no concerns of its imminent demise. Label www.northern-silence.de
Drephjard ‘Sorgsvart’ Northern Silence 2006
	Ruthless, raw and intense Black Metal in the straight to the point style of bands like, Mord and LJA. A scathing vocal delivery and guitars that cut through the air like chainsaws, to create a most riotous Blackened noise. The music bares its teeth from the first track, snarling in a tempestuous rage of guitars and winding bass chords that sustain the energy levels throughout the release. The melody and guitar harmonies are blitzed from the strings at a lightning pace, yet as the songs progress a cohesive core manages to make sense of the music’s severity. The more deranged moments of Gorgoroth and Urgehal also seep their
essence into the compositions of Drepjard. www.drephjard.com | Label www.northern-silence.de
Elite ‘Bifrost’ No Colours 2006
	An ethnical Nordic past of the genre was defined in its most archaic way by the early works of Satyricon, yet the embodiment of the minimalist sound of the music live on in bands like Elite. This is distinguishable Norwegian Black metal at its best played with a fluent overall design. The Berkmort mcd, preceding the Bifrost album, was a more direct, Black Metal release. The Bifrost opus however amplifies the basic Nordic influences and injected some thrashy elements and more refined aspects relating to the warmer shades of Windir/Taake, and Kampfar to the well crafted nature of the music. The more mid-tempo flow of this album allows the melodic atmospheres to simmer upon
some fine guitar arrangements. There is a very cultural awareness that has always induced a Northern pride in the Norwegian Black Metal scene, and the current bands are very much in tune with this emotive self-worth. Label www.nocolours.com
Gorgoroth ‘Ad Majorem Satahnas Glorium’ Regain Records 2006
	Formed in 1993, Gorgoroth, like Gehenna and Enslaved, have never reached the high emulative platforms of the big six, namely, Emperor, Mayhem, Burzum, Immortal, Dimmu Borgir and Dark Throne. With Ad Majorem, one would suspect these heights can now be assailed, as this is one impressive battery of vicious drum work [aka Frost] and ferocious guitar riffs. With this, the bands sixth full length, we are once more greeted with vocalist Ghaals hellish vocals. The urgency of the blistering aural attack is resembles the compact guitar sound of classic past releases like, Sentenced ‘North From Here’, or the equally brain crushing, At The
Gates - Slaughter of the Soul. From the opening number, Wound upon Wound, until the final ear shredding notes filter into the air, one is left with a feeling of gratuitous sensory bombardment that amounts to total brain dissipation during its overwhelming duration. This is an absolutely magnificent album, and one would be hard pressed to unearth another to match its seamless musical embodiment.
Gravferd ‘Demonized’ Northern Silence Records 2006
	Formed in 1995, Gravferd have released 5 demos of grisly, under produced Black Metal evoking a Graveland emptiness to the sound. The Av Hedenske Blod ‘demo 1997, one can deduce Bathorys first album and Mayhem era ‘Dead’ from the overall sound emanating from this release. The music is driven by awkward Sodom like vocals, yet the use of keyboards adds warmth to an otherwise cold and sallow demo. The 1998 ‘Nighplay’ demo, is a more thrashing rage, [with a better sound] until those enigmatic ‘Culto’ like vocals kick in and render the retro atmosphere into a listless Black Metal hell. The remaining 4 tracks belong to the ‘Savage Heart’ demo 2000. The evolution
to a more eighties thrash sound is realized here, with a thumping snare attack and chipping guitar riffs leaning very much towards a lost 1983 Slayer demo.  This is Norwegian Black Metal with a significant individual presentation, a bleak and gloomy journey into Hell. Label www.northern-silence.de
Kampfar ‘Klass’ Napalm Records 2006
	One of the Norwegian scenes oldest entities, formed in 1992 under the name of Mock, Kampfar carried on much of main man Dolks, Pagan vision until the present day. With two Ep’s and two albums, alongside this, Kampfars third long player, the product output has been relatively sparse. The bands classic, Mellorn Skoggkledde Aaser, album [1997], is a classic of the genre, and yet the profile and stature of Kampfar remain that of a mystery to most. The latest release, Kvass, finds the working ethos of main man Dolks musical themes firmly tuned into a manic Black Metal platform from where sustained melodic guitar riffs and
folkish atmospheres dominate throughout. The cover depicts a glacial panorama of a shadowy ice realm and the music reflects the beauty of the northern image. The tracks are driven by catchy riffs and a forceful Nordic atmosphere that emanates from the solid production and impressive repertoire of the guitars and vocal range. Whilst not being a landmark release, [the music rambles along nicely in safe territory], the dynamics of the Black/Viking metal sound are upheld here with a rejuvenated passion that Kamfar boldly present here.Label www.napalmrecords.com
Pantheon I ‘Atrocity Divine’ World Chaos Productions 2006
	Shredding guitars set to hypnotic blasting snares and addictive melodies. The solid production sets the sound above the low-fi and into a more deathly realm where the formula to the song structuring is not to far away from the likes of Dismember/In Flames many moons ago. The chilling abruptness to the way the fast violent sections are peppered with cello and violin infused slower parts is one of the strengths of this release. This is a modern Black Metal album with a sound that me be deemed too clean for some, and the choppy guitars will certainly allow the more deathly influences to arise. That said, it is a bold album that
yearns to break free from the shackles of the maligned, yet always keeps one foot in its grisly grave. www.pantheon-i.com
Sarkom ‘Aggravation of Mind’ Twilight Records 2006
	Featuring most of Pantheon I in the line up, Sarkom ply a similar full on blast approach with an orthodox backbone projected from a modern production. The music is a finely tuned hybrid of later day Immortal and Enslaved, with razor sharp riffs dictating the sound, driving the ferocious roaring atmosphere into a maelstrom of technical Black Metal. The vocals are grating at times, being angst propelled shouts, tortured excruciating burst of anger. After a while though these vocals seen so natural and in context with the tumultuous interaction of drum and guitar. Tracks like Aggravation of mind Syndrome, and the
brooding Passion for Suicide, are memorable moments from a well crafted set of tracks. Here we have an impressive, well oiled Black Metal act oozing quality and versatility. www.sarkom.tk
Ulvhendner/Galder split cd Northern Silence 2006
	Two of the Norwegian scenes latest arrivals, both airing recent demo material. Ulvhendner are a fast, melodic entity following the path of Windir, Taake and Taakeferd. The folkish spine that binds the aforementioned acts together is likewise formulated with a clash of aggression and harmony. The tracks are fast ravening examples of the modern scenes deep rooted influences of the likes of Ragnarok, Gorgoroth and Carpathian Forest. Amongst all the tumult are splattered numerous alluring parts of sublime guitars and easy to absorb guitar melodies. Ulvhendner are a quality act with some fine compositions that represent the scene very well indeed.
Galder represent a more Viking approach, setting the scene with an acoustic intro that leads into a very melodic folk/ pagan metal anthemic track. Harsh vocals guide the material across paths also walked by the likes of the impressive, Wood Temple and Windir. This is a wonderful release, that following the equally impressive Ulvhendner, manage to up the ante and produce an even greater set of tracks. Less violent, focusing more on atmosphere and hoar frost waters ebbing the Nordic coast line. There is a fresh, majestic feel to the material aired on Galders part of this release. A vibrant Bathory like fusion of the sublime meets the ecstatic. Here we have yet another high quality release from the underground and more proof that the Norwegian Black Metal scene is alive and kicking. Label www.northern-silence.de