In today’s modern climate that we as metalheads find ourselves in, it’s by no means uncommon to think that many modern bands are doing their best to sound as old school as possible whether intentionally or not. It often feels like it leads to just as many efforts that fall flat on their face as many that manage to rise above the challenge to form an effort that’s mighty in every way. When I ventured into the first full-length from Völniir, I didn’t know what to expect but I was extremely pleased to see this English band absolutely dominate!

The first attempt at anything leaves anyone with a lot of leeway in terms of what you can accomplish since success and glory rarely comes around on the first strike, and every time it happens is an instance that I truly cannot get over since it likely means a name has been found that should not be allowed to slink back into the shadows of the underground. Almost immediately with this album, Völniir shows us what they can bring forth with the first song alone being enough to give an idea as what to expect before even exploring further into “All Hope Abandon”, and it’s the rest of the album that really impresses after such a display. Undoubtedly, this is one of those albums that would’ve been seen as pure genius and revolutionary if was released a few decades ago, but it’s even now that I cannot help but fawn over the genius that is pouring out of every single thing that adorns “All Hope Abandon” as Völniir expertly craft a deadly experience that’s equal parts aggression and melancholy that’s all molded beautifully with undeniable riffage and musicianship that makes for godly works in the world of black metal to enable these eight testaments of raw power to become a tome of absolute glory.

There are tons of black metal acts out there in the underground that would kill to make an album like this even once, and to see Völniir pull it off on their first go really do make their future look immensely promising right from the beginning. After sinking hours into this effort I cannot help but feel like “All Hope Abandon” is just the first pieces of a grand design that Völniir have laid forth, and I cannot wait to see it greatly expanded upon with a surely glorious follow-up.

LISTEN to “All Hope Abandon” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Völniir on Facebook here.