Norwegian veterans Nidingr have now been around for 20 years as a band, guitarist Teloch always managing to find some time to assemble the band into action between extended periods of inactivity with his main band, the legendary black metal act Mayhem. The High Heat Licks Against Heaven is the bands third album, and out now on Season of Mist. Teloch is joined by lethal vocalist Cpt.Estrella Grasa, drummer Myrvoll, and bassist SIR. While the roots of Nidingr's music is pure Norwegian black metal, the band isn't afraid to toss in some death metal, doom, and thrash when necessary, keeping the listener on their toes at all times. Grasa's harsh vocal attack combines screams, bellows, shouts, and rasps, and he's spewing his venom over a non stop assault of intricate riffs courtesy of Teloch and punishing rhythms. The opening 1-2 punch of "Hangaguš" and "Surtr" set the stage for what's to come, violent, noisy, brutal metal that takes no prisoners, and other highlights include the textured "On Dead Body Shore" (sort of like Mayhem meets Celtic Frost), the experimental "Gleipnir", and the doom laden crusher "Naglfar Is Loosed". What's so intriguing about The High Heat Licks Against Heaven is the bands ability to mix up styles within each song, making it one of the more varied black metal albums you'll hear this year. Well done.
Track Listing
1. Hangaguš
2. Surtr
3. The Ballad of Hamther
4. On Dead Body Shore
5. Gleipnir
6. Sol Taker
7. Ash Yggdrasil
8. Valkyries Assemble
9. Heimdalargaldr
10. Naglfar Is Loosed
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