Nöldr – Dynasty ov the Darkened Evocations [EP]

Nöldr is back with his most violent material so far! I know I’ve said this before on some of my older reviews, but I don’t mind repeating myself when the subject is the use of real drums on newer Black Metal releases. It breathes such “character” into the music that the songs appear to come alive.

As evidence of his evolution since his last releases from the previous years, Lord Deathlaff seems to have found much more cohesion in the creation of this EP. With songs that are fast and violent, but don’t compromise at all the sense of introspection and beauty that this kind of cold and rasp Black Metal can have.

There’s a sense of melody and structure here that is seriously lacking from many of the contemporary bands of our time. The songs flow like stories and evoke visions of epic battles and even of tragic heroism and sacrifice. A feeling that definitely comes from the Tolkeinian (is that a real word?) source of inspiration.

Points go to the great artwork as well, simple and effective, by far my favorite that the band has used so far.

Unfortunately, Nöldr is a criminally underrated band, which should be on more people’s radars. If any of the things I talked about here made you interested or even just curious, do yourself a favor and check out Nöldr’s whole catalog. You’ll thank me later.