For all that the dense underground of black metal has accomplished over the years, it doesn’t take an expert to know that the scene has been diversified for years now with many different ideologies and approaches calling the style home. Of the many that cause many debates and several stirs throughout their respective scene, “true Norwegian black metal” certainly has to be one that’s amongst the most clamorous. Not many claims to reside in the sound, but those that do come under immense scrutiny if they don’t check off all of the boxes that many deem necessary to be called such. Nordjevel has been no stranger to such attention since their arrival six years ago. With their third full-length offering, though, I can’t help but feel like they’ve done a bang-up job bringing the sound to life.

Whereas Nordjevel’s beginnings were undoubtedly and firmly within the coveted realms of Norwegian black metal, time has offered the name to grow into something slightly different while still managing to retain homage and respect for those roots in a way that only those truly adept with the sound are able to accomplish in any significant form. With a small bout into realms that are somewhat more technical and more dynamic with an increase in darkness and viciousness as a result, it’s hard for me to look at “Gnavhòl” and not see anything less than a resounding success. Across the ten tracks and 51-minute runtime, not a single moment is squandered as Nordjevel show us what they’re still capable of after these years and a revolving line-up with the only truth and reality by the end of it all being that this name is still far from anything to underestimate or take lightly as the very conquest of Nordjevel across the globe shows no signs of slowing despite the criticism that these changes will surely incur. Regardless of all of that, however, the very power of “Gnavhòl” cannot be denied by those who bathe in its darkness. It’s the next step in the evolution of Nordjevel from its riffage to its atmospheres to its approach of unyielding power that holds nothing back; “Gnavhòl” is true hell on Earth.

This is may not be what many think of whenever they think Norwegian black metal is capable of in the hands of masters, but it’s the whole of this creation that leaves nothing to be desired as Nordjevel doesn’t miss a single beat in the crafting of this performance nor do they miss any sort of an opportunity to deliver a sound that is anything short of magnificent in its presence and potent in its delivery. “Gnavhòl” has more than enough secrets in its web for those that are willing to piece through the nearly hour-long creation in order to uncover them, and those that do will find themselves deeply rewarded with the excellence that is brought before their eyes.

LISTEN to “Gnavhòl” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Nordjevel on Facebook here.