NAGLFAR - DIABOLICAL
Regain Records/The End Records - 2003
By Rodrigo Escandon
Diabolical is the latest in the reissue series by Regain Records and I could not think of a better album to release than Naglfars excellent sophomore album. Originally released in 1998, Diabolical intended to fill the gap left by Dissection, the band that basically perfected the melodic black/death metal band. But rather than act as another clone, Naglfar rose from the rest of the crowd and thus making Diabolical their best release and definitely a must own album.
Naglfar play with precision, speed and catchiness but with an overall dark and cold feeling. Songs are well-crafted as they start out in one direction, move to another and then takes off somewhere else like in Horncrowned Majesty, Naglfar keeps you guessing and makes you want to listen to this album repeatedly. The band also does a great job in adding little things such as an angelic background choir and a short and cold keyboard passage in Into the Cold Voids of Eternity. The mid-tempo chugging of The Brimstone Gate features one of the best sing along choruses in this type of album. A Departure in Solitude is a creepy keyboard instrumental that manages to keep the albums feeling while also providing a breather.
Other songs just grab you by their sheer intensity and riffs that just stick out in your head and are hard to forget. Such is the case with 12th Rising which undoubtedly is my favorite Naglfar song and Blades, which is the albums shortest (non-instrumental) song and one that goes straight for your jugular.
Besides the excellent guitar playing of Andreas and MadMorgan, the singing of Jens is much improved from the bands debut Vittra and also better than the bands latest release Sheol, he really improved his range and command of his harsh screaming. The drumming is excellent and varied, at times going full out with the double-bass and other times Mattias will just slow it down a bit with some slower beats. The production does makes the drums sound a bit thin though. Finally, Kristoffers bass may not be easily heard but when he has the chance to be showcased such as in When Autumn Storms Come, one can really tell that this guy has great speed and technique.
Naglfar recently gained a lot attention because of their last release Sheol, which was a good album but it lacked longevity. For those of you that enjoyed Sheol you must check out Diabolical because this is Naglfar at its best.
Regain Records Website
The End Records Website
Official Naglfar Website
Regain Records/The End Records - 2003
By Rodrigo Escandon
Diabolical is the latest in the reissue series by Regain Records and I could not think of a better album to release than Naglfars excellent sophomore album. Originally released in 1998, Diabolical intended to fill the gap left by Dissection, the band that basically perfected the melodic black/death metal band. But rather than act as another clone, Naglfar rose from the rest of the crowd and thus making Diabolical their best release and definitely a must own album.
Naglfar play with precision, speed and catchiness but with an overall dark and cold feeling. Songs are well-crafted as they start out in one direction, move to another and then takes off somewhere else like in Horncrowned Majesty, Naglfar keeps you guessing and makes you want to listen to this album repeatedly. The band also does a great job in adding little things such as an angelic background choir and a short and cold keyboard passage in Into the Cold Voids of Eternity. The mid-tempo chugging of The Brimstone Gate features one of the best sing along choruses in this type of album. A Departure in Solitude is a creepy keyboard instrumental that manages to keep the albums feeling while also providing a breather.
Other songs just grab you by their sheer intensity and riffs that just stick out in your head and are hard to forget. Such is the case with 12th Rising which undoubtedly is my favorite Naglfar song and Blades, which is the albums shortest (non-instrumental) song and one that goes straight for your jugular.
Besides the excellent guitar playing of Andreas and MadMorgan, the singing of Jens is much improved from the bands debut Vittra and also better than the bands latest release Sheol, he really improved his range and command of his harsh screaming. The drumming is excellent and varied, at times going full out with the double-bass and other times Mattias will just slow it down a bit with some slower beats. The production does makes the drums sound a bit thin though. Finally, Kristoffers bass may not be easily heard but when he has the chance to be showcased such as in When Autumn Storms Come, one can really tell that this guy has great speed and technique.
Naglfar recently gained a lot attention because of their last release Sheol, which was a good album but it lacked longevity. For those of you that enjoyed Sheol you must check out Diabolical because this is Naglfar at its best.
Regain Records Website
The End Records Website
Official Naglfar Website
