Search - Urgehal :: Goatcraft Torment

True "Norsk Satanisk Black Metal"

Vorthog | Ontario, Canada | 12/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Urgehal is one of the few groups in all of Black Metal's heartland of Norway and Sweden to still be putting out real Black Metal. (-- But how come those Finns seem to have no shortage of great bands?) Instead, most of the bands in those two countries seem to be going for the over-orchestrated, synth-heavy Dimmu Borgir type sound these days. In my opinion, they are losing sight of the true raw and edgy spirit of Black Metal.



So what do Urgehal sound like? Well, they're most often compared with Darkthrone and with their raw buzzsaw-like guitar sound they do sound very similar. But if you ask me, I like them even BETTER (gasp!) than Darkthrone. That's because while Darkthrone do put out some great albums, they also put out some that are.....meh, just so-so. But Trondr Nefas and the boys in Urgehal on the other hand always seem to consistently deliver a great, hard-rockin' experience.



Their new album "Goat Craft Torment" is no exception. From the first note to the last this album really rocks out and totally kicks butt. This is definitely one of my faves of 2006 and I highly recommend it.



I'm not sure if Southern Lord actually released this one Stateside or not. I tried ordering this through Amazon but they weren't able to get it so I eventually had to go track down the European import version on Agonia Records.



Anyway, good luck finding this cuz if you like non-symphonic, guitar-driven Black Metal you NEED this album!"

This is Satanic Black Metal. Duh.

Amy | outer space | 05/20/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD starts off pretty well in the title track with the spoken line, "This is Satanic Black Metal!", and those unfamiliar with Urgehal will immediately figure out the basic subject matter with lyrics like "Die for Satan! Goatcraft torment!" In writing this may seem kind of sily but they pull off the blasphemy thing very well; song titles like "Satanic Black Metal in Hell" and the photo of an inverted cross carved in Trondr's arm drive the message home, in case the lyrics aren't enough for you. I read an interview with Enzifer in which he stated that their biggest influences were Darkthrone, Bathory, Celtic Frost, and Mayhem, among others, and it shows in the music. The guitars parts are all very well-written and memorable, and the lyrics and the atmosphere of the music are at once fun to listen to and fantastically evil and full of hate.



Unlike so much in the world of extreme metal, the lyrics are well-enunciated enough that you can actually figure out what the lyrics (some of which are in English, others in Norwegian) are without looking them up. Though the vocals aren't all that varied (though I'll give the vocals some credit for changing it up a bit on "Doedsmarsj til Helvete"), they are quite listenable and of the lower, raspier BM sort of vocals, which I do like better than a lot of screaming, Burzum-y stuff I keep hearing (it worked for Burzum, but in a lot of other cases I don't like it).



The production is good enough that you can hear all the instruments, the musicianship and the guitar riffs are all pretty good; I especially the guitars on "Dödsmarsj til Helvete." Maybe it's my liking for goats that biased me toward liking this, but certainly the music is good too. Perhaps they don't really push the envelope much, but I think Urgehal are very good at what they do, and that's enough for me."

Solid Black Metal

Jason | Chicago, IL | 09/20/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Urgehal has been around for quite awhile, but is not one of the better known black metal bands out of Norway. I picked this album up based on other customer reviews for it, and was not disappointed. The sound is pretty much good old style black metal, but with a slightly punky feel to some of the songs, in my opinion. I like the fact that this band sticks to the thrashier black metal style as well. I definitely recommend it for anyone who likes the old, rougher style of Norwegian black metal. I was able to see the band in person recently as well. They are definitely worth catching live as well.

"