Nifelheim - Envoy of Lucifer
Regain Records - 19 November 2007
By George Grant
Nifelheim has had a rich history within the black metal scene. Their early albums, notably the self titled debut and follow up
Devil’s Force, have obtained cult status and rightly so. In a time when most bands were looking to further the melodic and romantic side of black metal,
Nifelheim stood strong and continued on the path of raw unapologetic aggression. The Swedish force also injected
Maiden influences to their bestial music which offered a nice twist and firmly placed their feet on the traditional metal ground. Their newest album,
Envoy of Lucifer, has the band continuing with their raw sound giving long time fans exactly what they want although irritably nothing new.
Raw riffs, unrelenting vocals and a dash of melody are the basic elements on this album. Expect to hear a wealth of tremolo riffs and power chords with no hint of a modern influence, and I’m sure
Nifelheim fans would have it no other way. The band also tosses in some ripping leads like in the opening
‘Infernal Flames of Destruction’ that are anything but an exercise in self indulgence.
The tracks that really stand out are dripping in the old school feel.
‘Storm of the Reaper’ with its constant punk inspired d-beat and simple but effective chord progression is a catchy track that will warrant multiple re-listens. The same can be said with
‘Evil is Eternal’ and the sing (scream?) a-long chorus. Fans looking for the band to take new directions will like the
Sarcofago influences on
‘Evocation of the End,’ as well as the rhythmically varied and hypnotic lead on the closing
‘No more Life.’
Cased in a raw production devoid of modern tendencies,
Envoy of Lucifer will be a fine album for fans of previous
Nifelheim releases. However, those looking for
Nifelheim to offer a new defining and classic album may be a bit disappointed. The band doesn’t vary the pallet as much and seem to be set in their ways. Still, when compared to the rest of the material released this year,
Envoy of Lucifer will stand head and shoulders above.
Official Nifelheim Website
Official Nifelheim Myspace
Official Regain Records Website
