Nagelfar – Virus West
Ván - Ván07 – 2006
By Wayward_Son
Nagelfar’s second (third if you count Srontgorrth) album was originally released back in 2001 on now-defunct Ars Metalli Records. Thanks to Ván, this eclectic black metal album sees the light of day once more. Some of you, Faithful Readers, might already be familiar with The Ruins of Beverast, which was formed by Alexander Von Meilenwald, Nagelfar’s drummer.
For those of you that missed the boat, Nagelfar released Hünengrab im Herbst back in 1997. Exploring different styles, that album combined slower, depressive moments followed by hate-filled charges of speed, cleanly sung vocals and Burzum-esque cries. Following the debut came a remix album, for lack of a better description. Five songs were re-recorded for Srontgorrth, and released in 1999. The most noticeable change was the inclusion of electronics and industrial style beats.
Four years and a new vocalist later, Nagelfar unleashed Virus West. Gone are the techno and industrial elements, replaced by a faster, beefier sound. The new vocalist fits in perfectly with the shift in direction, adding tormented, angry howls to the melodious tunes. While not quite the complex album as the debut, Virus West does feature shifts in speed, and sparse insertions of acoustics and synths.
The best song is clearly ’Sturm Der Katharsis’, with it’s mammoth-like opening. Starting with an almost military-like beat, it soon breaks open into a beautiful mid-paced riff. The eleven-minute ’Meuterei’ is also worth mentioning, as it exhibits Nagelfar in their finest form. Using chant-like vocals, pace changes, epic synths, and fitting melodies, it closes out Virus West, and Nagelfar, in perfect form.
If you are already a fan of Nagelfar, this review is pointless. You most likely have Virus West. However, if Nagelfar somehow got by you, Faithful Reader, and unpretentious, complex black metal sounds appealing, this writer urges you to give Virus West a listen. Chances are Nagelfar is one of the better black metal bands you have never heard.
Official Nagelfar Website
Official Ván Website
Ván - Ván07 – 2006
By Wayward_Son
Nagelfar’s second (third if you count Srontgorrth) album was originally released back in 2001 on now-defunct Ars Metalli Records. Thanks to Ván, this eclectic black metal album sees the light of day once more. Some of you, Faithful Readers, might already be familiar with The Ruins of Beverast, which was formed by Alexander Von Meilenwald, Nagelfar’s drummer.
For those of you that missed the boat, Nagelfar released Hünengrab im Herbst back in 1997. Exploring different styles, that album combined slower, depressive moments followed by hate-filled charges of speed, cleanly sung vocals and Burzum-esque cries. Following the debut came a remix album, for lack of a better description. Five songs were re-recorded for Srontgorrth, and released in 1999. The most noticeable change was the inclusion of electronics and industrial style beats.
Four years and a new vocalist later, Nagelfar unleashed Virus West. Gone are the techno and industrial elements, replaced by a faster, beefier sound. The new vocalist fits in perfectly with the shift in direction, adding tormented, angry howls to the melodious tunes. While not quite the complex album as the debut, Virus West does feature shifts in speed, and sparse insertions of acoustics and synths.
The best song is clearly ’Sturm Der Katharsis’, with it’s mammoth-like opening. Starting with an almost military-like beat, it soon breaks open into a beautiful mid-paced riff. The eleven-minute ’Meuterei’ is also worth mentioning, as it exhibits Nagelfar in their finest form. Using chant-like vocals, pace changes, epic synths, and fitting melodies, it closes out Virus West, and Nagelfar, in perfect form.
If you are already a fan of Nagelfar, this review is pointless. You most likely have Virus West. However, if Nagelfar somehow got by you, Faithful Reader, and unpretentious, complex black metal sounds appealing, this writer urges you to give Virus West a listen. Chances are Nagelfar is one of the better black metal bands you have never heard.
Official Nagelfar Website
Official Ván Website
