Defintely Not the Most Original of the Lot, But Very Solid.
p_drl | 03/23/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Ok, so the crazy Swedish BMer's Naglfar aren't breaking new ground, nor doing anything particularly exciting or innovating. They play a brand of melodic black metal with tinges of Swedish death metal. It's been done before, so if you're looking for originality, don't come here. But Naglfar are a very tight and solid, and they do their job well. The drums are absolutely outstanding, and the guitars throw in some technical flair, but have a lot of melody with some bludgeoning riffs. (See "Devoured by Naglfar" by the best example.) The vocals... Great! Think of Jon of Dissection, (who clearly had an influence on this band) but much more intense and hateful. The slick production job does a nice job of bringing out the instruments here, especially those small riffs you may not catch other wise, or the intricate accents on the cymbals.
The majority of this record is straight-forward blasting. not in a bad at hyperspeed to where it sounds like a huge sloppy mess, but at a nice headbanging pace with tons of groove and bludgeoning double bass rolls. There are some slower tracks though, which are successfully pulled off and have a hellish and abysmal atmosphere. There is a good sense of balance, and the song structures keep things from stagnating, even with the blastbeating. The music is well-rounded, and the album is solid, though some of the later tracks do seem to drag on. but if you're looking for some killer black/death with tons of melody while maintaining brutality, pick up "Sheol" at all costs. Reccommended to fans of Dissection and Immortal."
Great album
TheDreamGhost | Tx | 12/01/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Very good album. The whole thing is very enjoyable, however I think the first track is the high point... it's actually why I bought the album. The other tracks are very heavy & enjoyable, but a little lack luster in comparison to "I Am Vengeance.""
MMMMM...now thais some good Black Metal
Tom Servo | Satelite of Love | 08/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yes even a Christian like myself loves this "evil" and "satanic" black metal stuff. I really like Naglfar's meliodic black metal sound. This is possibly one the best black metal bands i've ever heard in my entire life! No kidding either. From "I Am Vengeance" to "The Infernal Ceremony" I was listening with my jaw on the floor. I was shocked. I was really digging this album. If you like black metal in the vien of Mayhem, then this band is for you."