Regain Records is now making their way through the back catalog of Sweden's Naglfar, reissuing some of their earlier and quite stunning works of furious melodic black metal. 1998's Diabolical features original Naglfar singer Jens Rydén, whose maniacal style (that often recalls a young Isahn of Emperor) fits the relentless and raging music contained within these nine tracks. Although there are moments of dark and brooding atmosphere here, for the most part this is brutal and apocalyptic black metal, chock full of massive waves of tremelo picked guitar riffs, stampeding blast beats, and ungodly shrieking vocals. Within Diabolical lies some truly excellent songs, such as the melodic yet highly terrifying "Embracing the Apocalypse", the speedy gallop of "12th Rising" (tell me these guys didn't listen to a little bit o' Iron Maiden in their early years), the grinding, desolate riffs of "The Brimstone Gate", the almost Marduk sounding "Blades", and the symphonic black metal that is the title track. Not a note is wasted here, as each track is played with the utmost precision, the dual guitars firing off plenty of crunchy riffs and tasty harmonies, the drum blasts near perfect, a slight dollop of keyboards here and there, and of course Rydén's furious vocals. The packaging on this reissue features all the lyrics, photos, and artwork, so if you didn't spring out the cash for this little black metal gem the first time around, make sure you do so now.
Track Listing
1) Horncrowned Majesty
2) Embracing The Apocalypse
3) 12th Rising
4) Into The Cold Voids Of Eternity
5) The Brimstone Gate
6) Blades
7) When Autumn Storms Come
8) A Departure In Solitude
9) Diabolical - The Devil's Child
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