Nordjevel - Fenriir

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Even after the end of the Second Wave of Black Metal in the mid years of the 90’s, the Norwegian Black Metal scene still has many good names in the underground, even when they’re not under the spotlights. Names that keep the true nature of the country’s Black Metal alive. And NORDJEVEL is one of them, as their latest release, the EP “Fenriir” is here to state clear.

They’re a band formed with many experienced musicians (that passed by bands as RAGNAROK, ZYKLON, DARK FUNERAL, ABBATH, 1349, and others), and it means that they have control of what they want to play. And it’s the purest Black Metal form that can be found on Norway, but with some unusual elements (as the use of darkened melodies and some guitar solos). It’s personal, and spreads a morbid and hooking energy from the band’s songs. What a Black metal fan could ask is on this EP, so dig in! The sonority of “Fenriir” is something that keeps the rusty, crude and traditional feeling from Norwegian Black Metal recordings, but in a way that every listener can understand what they’re up to with their songs. Maybe the old feeling can be coming from the nasty and simple instrumental tunes used by them.

As stated by the band, the songs of “Fenriir” are not fitting on their next album, so they decided to release them on this EP. And the fans are lucky, because “Fenriir” (with the lyrics based on a poem with the same name, and that shows an hooking energy and excellent melodies created by the guitar riffs), “Gnawing the Bones” (a traditional Norwegian Black Metal song with all elements that the fans want to hear, and what strong work from bass guitar and drums on the rhythm), and “Rovdyr” (a morbid and atmospheric song with very good contrasts on the tempos, enriched by shrieked snarls from the vocals) are really excellent songs. And as bonus tracks, a personal Black Metal version for “Fallen Angel” (and old POSSESSED classic from “Seven Churches”), and the live version for “Det Ror og Ror” (recorded at t Brutal Assault 2019) complete this released that can’t be missed by Black Metal fans!

NORDJEVEL is really an excellent band that keeps the spirit of Norwegian Black Metal alive. But if “Fenriir” is made of leftovers songs, their next album will be one of the best releases of this year (if it comes in 2021).

Songwriting: 10
Musicianship: 10
Memorability: 10
Production: 9