The sheer intensity of black metal is something that the genre has used to great effect over the decades, and it’s still very much into the modern era that it remains a big part of what the sound can be even if the band in question doesn’t offer much in way of progressing the sound in any particular direction. However, sonic progress is not always necessary in order to showcase why a specific sound can still be great. Black metal is overflowing with legions of acts like that as the power of the genre is kept intact through perpetuation and a deep knowledge of the craft. Even then, however, there are those that manage to stand out and burn stronger with a darker flame than others. For its eighth album, Nazghor more than qualifies as such a band.

This is a genre that’s plagued by bands that seek to channel one of the many classic flames that the sound utilized to great effect years ago, and there are many that fail in trying to replicate it. As such, those that are able to deliver are more than worthy of being hailed for what they manage to bring to the table. Channeling much of what the Swedish has done for black metal while always ensuring its own personal flavors come across and take center stage, Nazghor delivers one undeniable victory after another throughout the nine tracks of “A World Ablaze”. Devilishly intoxicating with its fantastic melodic factor, this is a record that rips the listener back to 1702 when Uppsala became engulfed in a ferocious inferno, changing the course of history and leaving an indelible mark upon the land and its people for centuries to come, and Nazghor captures it all brilliantly! This is black metal that’s straightforward and relatively simple but undeniably competent, to the point, and effective at practically everything that it does. Nazghor has been in the scene for over thirteen years now, and it’s clear that in that time across what’s now eight albums that the Swedish act has become a force to be reckoned with, something that fans of black metal should absolutely pay heed to.

Mastery is not easily achieved. Even when your fingers get a grip on it, easily can it slip between those very fingers and go as quickly as it came. Evidently, Nazghor’s grip is terrific in its strength with the results obvious throughout the whole of this impressive creation. “A World Ablaze” is singularly fascinating in its power and intensity with the hypnotic notions taken by Nazghor something that must be hailed as a stroke of genius as the entire record is something that is not easily put down once picked up.

“A World Ablaze” releases on February 20th via Solistitium Records!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “A World Ablaze” on Bandcamp here, or via YouTube below.

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