Nächtlich – Exaltation Of Evil

The Canadian Black Metal entity that is Nächtlich has been quite prolific throughout their entire career that started back in 2016. With a lot short players and split releases the band has singlehandedly helped shaping the resurgence of a global Raw Black Metal scene. Yet, unlike many of these bands Nächtlich has never been solely a bedroom band that merely spawns cassettes of abominable sound quality. Not only is the band a welcome guest on underground stages, the music on offer is far from generic and unlistenable Raw Black Metal…

Within the band’s rather extensive back catalogue there’s also two full-length albums that, together with the ‘Third Ritual’-EP, can be considered modest milestones in modern day Raw Black Metal elitism. Within its deeply rooted penchant for raw riffs and harsh production, Nächtlich has always been able to capture a certain sense for melodicism that fuelled a distinct 90’s Black Metal ambiance. The subtle use of keyboards must certainly be credited for creating such an alluring atmosphere, but it is definitely the whole package, including some, dare I say, catchy song writing that made Nächtlich stand out of the crowd for the most part of their eight years of existence.

Their new and third album, ‘Exaltation Of Evil’ however, offers something that feels slightly different from the tried and tested Nächtlich-formula. While the essence of raw riffing and moody, humming keyboards is still very much present throughout the full 42 minutes of the album, there is definitely something else at play here as well. The musical approach of the Canadian has always been one of a rather minimalistic nature, but this new album has taken that a step further in terms of washing it off even more bells and whistles. The overall sound and production is a bit clearer and feels more “open”, consequently offering more space to the band’s intricate song writing skills.

Take a song like ‘Pagan Victory’ for instance. This song has an open song structure that leaves way more opportunity for the keyboards to play a leading role as well as some well-crafted Heavy Metal-laced leads. Consequently, omitting the harshness of the previous recordings, the music might sound less brooding, but it definitely gains heavily on atmosphere. This way it creeps up more to some of the originators of the “warmer” side of the Black Metal soundscape of Varathron, Mortuary Drape, Necromantia, Master’s Hammer and the likes. The evil sounding wild wickedness of the following ‘Within My Desolate Empire’, with its open riffing and creative drumming, completes the picture of a more Heavy Metal-based song writing.

While Nächtlich didn’t sacrifice all that much on their true essence or musical roots, they are increasingly able to show their full potential. The musical vision of the duo behind Nächtlich becomes more apparent with each successive release, and their talent for songcrafting grows steadily along with the band’s development, in which ‘Exaltation Of Evil’ is undoubtedly the provisional highlight.