Info
- Band(s): Ulvdalir
- Label(s): Iron Bonehead Productions
- Release Format(s): 12" vinyl, CD
- Release Year: 2019
- Review Date: February 8, 2019
Originating from St. Petersburg, Russia, Ulvdalir belong to the inner circle of Russia’s True Ingrian Black Metal Death (alongside excellent labelmates Khashm with whom Ulvdalir share two members) and play second wave black/death metal that sounds almost as Scandinavian as their moniker. This mysterious trio have released three full-lengths, numerous EP’s and splits since their inception back in 2001 to varying degrees of success, with their latest album “Of Death Eternal” being by far their most accomplished.
Just how far this band have come since their last full-length (which is also excellent) “Cold Breath of Apocalypse” cannot be understated; the song writing is more controlled and varied, their sound more unique and the musicianship so much more focused and coherent. Gone are the overtly obvious Shining and Carpathian Forest references with Ulvdalir instead going for an altogether faster, more involved approach with long songs that clock in at eight-minutes plus. On first listen “Of Death Eternal” can feel a little claustrophobic and overwhelming – such is the depth of material on offer here – but bear with it because repeated spins reveal all the little intricacies and clever layering that really make these eight songs (including intro/outro) so enthralling. “Awakening” is the perfect opener with excellent trem-picked riffs, blast beats and a brilliantly grim vocal performance; “Black Flame of Will” literally pulses with a sense of drama and tension that is genuinely shit-your-pants-scary, while “Swords of Belial” and “Birth of the Beast” wreak havoc on the senses with some superb riffs and haunting atmospheres.
All that said, although this album marks massive improvements in all areas when compared to their previous releases I feel there is still some way to go before the band maximise their full potential. Some songs do tend to meander for a tad too long, losing their potency in the process which is a shame because there are so many truly excellent moments throughout this release. Iron out these relatively small creases and we will have one hell of contender for the Russian black metal throne. (DaveW)
Iron Bonehead Productions
- Country: Germany
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, Other
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, Youtube
Related Articles
Reviews
- Abhor - Occulta religiO {2018}
- Abhor / Abysmal Grief - Legione Occulta / Ministerium Diaboli [Split] {2019}
- Abhor - Sex Sex Sex (Ceremonia Daemonis Antichristi) {2022}
- Abyssous – Mesa [EP] {2018}
- Abythic - Dominion of the Wicked {2021}
- Abythic - Eden Of The Doomed [EP] {2022}
- Adversvm - Aion Sitra Ahra {2018}
- Alchemyst - Nekromanteion {2012}
- Altarage - MMXV [Demo] {2015}
- Amnutseba - Emanatism {2020}
- Ancient Guard – Nightfall Enthroned [EP] {2024}
- Ancient Moon / Prosternatur - Secretum Secretorum [Split] {2018}
- Ancient Moon - Benedictus Diabolica, Gloria Patri {2019}
- Ancient North - The Gates {2022}
- Antediluvian / Heresiarch - Defleshing the Serpent Infinity [Split] {2020}
- Heresiarch - Edifice {2024}
- Antichrist [PER] – Pax Moriendi {2018}
- Aparthiva Raktadhara - Agyat Ishvar [EP] {2018}
- Aparthiva Raktadhara - Adyapeeth Maranasamhita (আদ্যাপীঠ মরণসংহিতা) {2022}
- Ara Solis - Ashvattha {2023}
- Arkhaaik - *dʰg̑ʰm̥tós {2019}
- Ascendency - Birth of an Eternal Empire [EP] {2020}
- Atomicide - Furious and Untamed [EP] {2018}
- Aum - Om Ah Hum Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum {2016}
- Axeslaughter / Cadaveric Incubator - Axeslaughter / Cadaveric Incubator [Split] {2018}
- Azathoth’s Dream – Nocturnal Vampyric Bewitchment {2023}
- Baxaxaxa - The Old Evil [Demo] {2019}
- Baxaxaxa - Devoted to HIM [EP] {2020}
- Beast Of Revelation - The Ancient Ritual of Death {2020}
- Black Cilice - Transfixion of Spirits {2019}
- Black Cilice – Tomb Emanations [EP] {2021}
- Black Cilice - Esoteric Atavism {2022}
- Black Cilice – Atavistic Possessions [EP] {2024}
- Black Edifice – The Miasmic Trance [EP] {2023}
- Black Funeral – The Dust and Darkness [EP] {2018}
- Black Funeral - Scourge Of Lamashtu {2020}
- Black Grail - VIIII [EP] {2022}
- Blaspherian - Upon the Throne...of Eternal Blasphemous Death [EP] {2014}
- Bloodsoaked Necrovoid - The Apocryphal Paths Of The Ancient 8th Vitriolic Transcendence {2019}
- Bloodsoaked Necrovoid - Expelled into the Unknown Depths of the Unfathomable {2020}
- Blooming Carrions - Sisters in Blooming Flesh [EP] {2019}
- Blue Hummingbird on the Left – Atl Tlachinolli {2019}
- Byyrth - Echoes from the Seven Caves of Blood {2018}
- Byyrth - Cold Autumn Shadows [EP] {2019}
- Cadaver Coils - Offerings of Rapture and Decay {2022}
- Calyx - Vientos arcaicos {2019}
- Celestial Grave - Secular Flesh {2019}
- Concilivm - A Monument In Darkness [Re-Release] {2022}
- Cosmic Void Ritual - Grotesque Infections of Planetary Divide [EP] {2018}
- Crucifier - Say Your Prayers [EP] {2022}
- Cult of Eibon – Black Flame Dominion {2021}
- Cult Of Eibon / Ceremonial Torture - Necronomical Mirror Divination [Split] {2022}
- Cult of Extinction - Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light {2019}
- Cursed Excruciation - Arcane Diabolism {2023}
- Dakhma - Hamkar Atonement {2018}
- Dalkhu - Descend...into Nothingness {2015}
- Death. Void. Terror. – To the Great Monolith {2018}
- Deathless Void - Deathless Void [EP] {2022}
- Deathwomb - Moonless Night Sacraments {2019}
- Disembowel [CHL] - Plagues and Ancient Rites {2017}
- Disharmony [GRE] - Messe de minuit [EP] {2019}
- Divine Ecstasy - Strange Passions [EP] {2018}
- Dodenbezweerder - Vrees de toorn van de wezens verscholen achter majestueuze vleugels {2020}
- Drowning The Light - A Gleam In The Eye Of Set & World Devourer [Compilation] {2022}
- Drowning The Light - Oceans Of Eternity [Re-Release] {2023}
- Drowning The Light - The Longing [Compilation / Re-Release] {2023}
- Embrace Of Thorns - Scorn Aesthetics {2018}
- Embrace Of Thorns - The Pantheon I [EP] {2022}
- Eosphoros - Eosphoros {2018}
- Finis – Visions of Doom [EP] {2018}
- Folteraar - Vertellingen van een donkere eeuw {2016}
- Front – Antichrist Militia [EP] {2020}
- Goatkraft - Angel Slaughter [EP] {2018}
- Goatkraft - Sulphurous Northern Bestiality {2019}
- Goatkraft – Prophet Of Eternal Damnation {2023}
- Grabunhold - Unter dem Banner der Toten [EP] {2019}
- Grabunhold - Heldentod {2021}
- Grabunhold / Circle Of Shadows – Lamentationen [Split] {2023}
- Grave Spirit - The Beast Unburdened By Flesh [EP] {2018}
- Graves - Liturgia da Blasfémia {2019}
- Gravfraktal - Unhallowed Death Triumph [EP] {2020}
- Hagzissa - They Ride Along {2019}
- Hanghedief - Overduyvelsche Boosheit [EP] {2022}
- Hellehond – Verslonden {2019}
- Hellvetron - Trident of Tartarean Gateways {2019}
- Horn - Retrograd [EP] {2018}
- House of Atreus - From the Madness of Ixion {2018}
- Hulder - Godslastering: Hymns of a Forlorn Peasantry {2021}
- Ill Omen - The Grande Usurper [EP] {2018}
- In Grief - An Eternity Of Misery {2022}
- Infernal Conjuration - Infernale Metallum Mortis {2019}
- Infernal Curse – Revelations Beyond Insanity {2023}
- Invocation [CHL] - The Mastery of the Unseen [EP] {2018}
- Invocation [CHL] - Attunement to Death [EP] {2020}
- Invocation - The Archaic Sanctuary (Ritual Body Postures) {2024}
- Ithaqua - The Black Mass Sabbath Pulse [7”] {2016}
- Jordablod - The Cabinet of Numinous Song {2020}
- Katavasia - Invoking The Spirit Of Doom [EP] {2021}
- Kawir - Αδράστεια {2019}
- Kerasfóra - Denn die Todten Reiten Schnell [Demo] {2021}
- Khthoniik Cerviiks - Æequiizoiikum {2020}
- Lord Belial - The Wrath Of Belial [Compilation / Re-Release] {2022}
- Luring – Triumphant Fall Of The Malignant Christ {2023}
- Malakhim - Demo I [Demo] {2018}
- Malakhim – II [EP] {2019}
- Malakhim - Theion {2021}
- Malsanctum – Malsanctum {2018}
- Melan Selas - Ῥέον {2018}
- Messe De Minuit – Invocation [Demo] {2024}
- Messe Mortuaire - Nocturnal Demonic Visitation [EP] {2022}
- Mistcavern - Into Twilight [EP] {2022}
- Morbid Cruelty – Holodomor {2021}
- Musmahhu - Formulas of Rotten Death [EP] {2018}
- Musmahhu - Reign of the Odious {2019}
- Mutilate - Tormentium {2018}
- Mutilate - Contagium {2019}
- Mysteria Mystica Aeterna - The Temple of Eosphoros {2022}
- Nagel - Hel op Aarde [EP] {2022}
- Naked Whipper - Moloch-Acid Orgy / 7" [Re-Release] {2022}
- Naked Whipper - Painstreaks [Re-Release] {2022}
- Necrobode - Sob o Feitiço do Necrobode {2020}
- Necrobode / Nadsvest - Ustoličenje smrti / O Triunfo da Morte [Split] {2021}
- Necroholocaust [CAN] - Laudem Antichristus [EP] {2018}
- Nekromanteion – The Sinister Flame [Demo / Re-Release] {2024}
- Nexul - Scythed Wings of Poisonous Decay [EP] {2020}
- Omnipotence - Praecipitium {2018}
- Ophidian – Descent Into The Labyrinth [EP] {2024}
- Order Of The Nameless Ones - Utter to Me the Word of Wrath {2018}
- Os – Tehom {2022}
- Pa Vesh En - A Ghost [EP] {2018}
- Pa Vesh En – Church of Bones {2018}
- Pa Vesh En / Temple Moon - Pa Vesh En / Temple Moon [Split] {2018}
- Pa Vesh En - Cryptic Rites of Necromancy [EP] {2019}
- Pa Vesh En – Pyrefication {2019}
- Pa Vesh En - Maniac Manifest {2021}
- Pa Vesh En - Martyrs {2023}
- Perverticon - Wounds of Divinity {2019}
- Pestilength – Demo MMXIX [Demo] {2019}
- Possession - 1585 1646 [EP] {2015}
- Possession / Venefixion - Passio Christi Part II / Necrophagous Abandon [Split] {2019}
- Venefixion - A Sigh from Below {2021}
- Profanation – Skull Crushing Violence [EP] {2024}
- Putrifier - Præcidistis Regeneratio [EP] {2023}
- Reaper [SWE] – Unholy Nordic Noise {2020}
- Reaper - The Atonality of Flesh {2021}
- Ringarë – Under Pale Moon {2019}
- Ritualization - Hema Ignis Necros [EP] {2022}
- Runespell - Order Of Vengeance {2018}
- Runespell - Voice Of Opprobrium {2019}
- Runespell / Forest Mysticism - Wandering Forlorn [Split] {2020}
- Runespell - Verses In Regicide {2021}
- Runespell - Sentinels Of Time [EP] {2022}
- Runespell – Shores Of Náströnd {2023}
- Runespell – Wells Of Slidhr [Demo] {2023}
- Sacrocurse - Gnostic Holocaust {2018}
- Sanctifying Ritual - Sanctifying Ritual {2020}
- Scythe Lore - Through the Mausoleums of Man [EP] {2019}
- Serpent Spawn - Crypt of Torment [EP] {2022}
- Skelethal - Deathmanicvs Revelation [EP] {2014}
- Slægt - Beautiful and Damned [EP] {2015}
- Sørgelig - Devoted to Nothingness [EP] {2019}
- Summon [POR] - Parazv Il Zilittv {2018}
- Temple Desecration - Whirlwinds of Fathomless Chaos {2018}
- Temple Nightside – Recondemnation {2018}
- Temple Nightside - Pillars of Damnation {2020}
- Temple of the Beast - Geminian Arcana [EP] {2024}
- Terror Oath - Terror Oath [Demo] {2019}
- Tetragrammacide - Typho-Tantric Aphorisms from the Arachneophidian Qur'an {2023}
- Tezcatlipoca - Tlayohualtlapelani {2018}
- The Fog - Perpetual Blackness {2016}
- The Gates Of Sinn - The Great Sabbath [Demo] {2019}
- The Rite - The Brocken Fires [EP] {2018}
- The Rite - Liturgy Of The Black {2020}
- The Rite - The Astral Gloom {2023}
- Trajeto de Cabra - Supreme Command of Satanic Will {2019}
- Trance of the Undead - Chalice of Disease {2021}
- Trolldom - Av gudars ätt... {2022}
- Trolldom - I nattens sken (Genom hemligheternas dunkel) {2022}
- Tyrannic - Mortuus Decadence {2021}
- Ulvdalir - …Of Death Eternal {2019}
- Unaussprechlichen Kulten - Teufelsbücher {2019}
- Unaussprechlichen Kulten - Häxan Sabaoth {2024}
- Vaamatar - Medievalgeist {2022}
- Valaraukar - Demonian Abyssal Visions {2019}
- Varathron / Ungod - Apocalyptic Mysticism [Split] {2022}
- Vassafor - To the Death {2020}
- Veiled - Black Celestial Orbs {2018}
- Verberis - Vexamen {2016}
- Verbum - Exhortation to the Impure {2022}
- Vitriol [GER] – Chrysalis [EP] {2019}
- Vomit Angel - Imprint of Extinction {2019}
- Vøidwomb - Altars of Cosmic Devotion [EP] {2021}
- Wampyrinacht - Night of the Desecration {2022}
- Weregoat - The Devil's Lust [EP] {2022}
- Weregoat / Eggs of Gomorrh - Orgiastic Rape Of Resurrected Remains [Split] {2022}
- White Nights - Into the Lap of the Ancient Mother [EP] {2020}
- Witchbones - The Seas of Draugen {2019}
- Worm - Gloomlord {2020}
News
- Crucifier to unleash new album via Iron Bonehead Productions: "'Led Astray' is a masterclass in memorable, metal riffing and twisted rhythmic thrust." {February 13, 2024}
- Infernal Curse to release third album via Iron Bonehead Productions: "Once again, the Argentinians both embody and defy the bestial metal paradigm, and harken back to the earliest expulsions from mid '80s South America" {May 2, 2023}
- Iron Bonehead announced new Invocation album: "Upon first blush, thankfully, very little has changed in the Chileans' sound; restless, roiling, and most definitely RIPPING..." {July 23, 2024}
- Iron Bonehead Productions and Heresiarch team up for second album: "...Heresiarch sound as martial as ever, but the lava now flows in palatably unique ways, all without compromising their core aesthetic." {February 20, 2024}
- Iron Bonehead Productions and The Rite ready to unleash second album: "The black bells toll more ominously than ever, the veil between worlds begins to open...step forth into The Astral Gloom!" {June 12, 2023}
- Iron Bonehead Productions announces Azathoth's Dream's debut album: 'Either way, one listen to the aptly titled 'Nocturnal Vampyric Bewitchment' and one will be indeed bewitched by the band's melancholic-yet-feral spell...or duly repulsed by it.' {October 9, 2023}
- Iron Bonehead Productions presents new Luring album: "...Luring render their third full-length a never-belabored masterclass in Black Metal both authentically ancient and refreshingly modern" {October 19, 2024}
- Iron Bonehead Productions ready to release Ancient Guard's debut release: "While Runespell's no-less-grandiose sound is oft given to bouts of bloodlust and battle rage, Ancient Guard is pure magisterial march & might as can be expected of such a moniker." {April 16, 2024}
- Iron Bonehead Productions ready to release Deathless Void's debut album: "...on 'The Voluptuous Fire of Sin', there's a palpably late '90s feel in both songwriting and production, such that one could psychically slot the album among the No Fashion Records roster back then" {July 19, 2024}
- Iron Bonehead Productions to release debut EP of Kaal Nagini: "Cruel and martial and overwhelming, Kaal Nagini's Death Metal aims for oblivion and promptly delivers the listener there..." {February 14, 2023}
- Iron Bonehead Productions to release Goatkraft's new album: "Goatkraft carry that sulfurous torch with their second full-length, delivering detonating screeds of grinding, expulsive black filth" {September 4, 2023}
- Iron Bonehead Productions to release Sever's debut album: "Straightforward, to be sure, but never simplistic, Sever's onward-and-spaceward thrust overwhelms and then hypnotizes..." {February 20, 2023}
- Luring's new album to be released by Iron Bonehead Productions: "One could variously point contemporaneously early Abigor and Gorgoroth as equally as turn-of-the-millennium Nocternity and Lunar Aurora..." {July 10, 2023}
- Moon Incarnate's debut album to be released by Iron Bonehead Productions: "...Moon Incarnate's sound was born out of love for the early works of the Peaceville Three - Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, and Anathema..." {January 22, 2024}
- Profanation's debut EP announced by Iron Bonehead Productions: "Like the unholy offspring of Hadez and Necrovore with more than a hint of the eldritch grind of Terrorizer and England's Doom..." {March 1, 2024}
- Runespell to release 'Shores of Nastrond' via Iron Bonehead Productions: "Simply put, this is Pagan Black Metal perfection, from an entity that seemingly already perfected it." {June 10, 2023}
- Temple of the Beast and Iron Bonehead Productions team up to release debut EP: "...oft-lumbering ritualism that slithers its way into hammering primitivism, recalling the earliest works of Samael, Mystifier, Demoncy, and 'Drawing Down the Moon'-era Beherit..." {March 4, 2024}
- Tomb from Malysia to release new EP via Iron Bonehead Productions: "Here on 'The Dark Subconscious' do Tomb go even more primitive..." {May 1, 2023}
- Unaussprechlichen Kulten finishes 6th album, Iron Bonehead Productions ready to release 'Häxan Sabaoth': "For however "pure" and primordial Unaussprechlichen Kulten's Death Metal is, there's' daresay a newfound grace across 'Häxan Sabaoth'..." {November 27, 2023}
