Ragnarok: Malediction

With an album cover that depicts a deathly figure sat atop a throne, a woman – presumably dead – with multiple wounds the length of her arms and a castrated infant – again, presumably dead – at his feet, it's pretty safe to say that you know what evils lie within. And having remained true to the classic black metal style since their inception in 1994, it's also safe to say that the Norwegian legion Ragnarok's message also remains the same. Their riffs are savage and technical and the vocals are delivered with the rabid fervour of Saturn salivating at the prospect of devouring his children, and there are plenty of menacing melodies amid the unremitting assault. While the intricate but brief intros to '(Dolce Et Decorum Est) Pro Patria Mori' and 'Dystocratic' demonstrate the band's ability for subtlety in the minutiae of melody, harmony, and rhythm, they waste little time in getting to the point. Following the war-like grandeur of the sinister orchestral sounds and majestic chords that open 'Blood of Saints', battle commences and the blasphemous blaze of sharp, tremolo-picked chromatic riffs and wall-of-fire chords cascades. What you see is what you get with Ragnarok and little is about to change in their camp, regardless of what anyone says. After eighteen years of honing their craft, when it comes to classic black metal, Ragnarok kick the shit out of most. But if it's originality you want, look elsewhere.

Track Listing:

1. Blood Of Saints
2. Demon In My View
3. Necromantic Summoning Ritual
4. Divide Et Impera
5. (Dolce Et Decorum Est) Pro Patria Mori
6. Dystocratic
7. Iron Cross – Posthumous
8. The Elevenfold Seal
9. Fade Into Obscurity
10. Sword Of Damocles

Added: October 31st 2012
Reviewer: Jason Guest
Score:
Related Link: Ragnarok on Facebook
Hits: 2886
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]