Naglfar, the band I continue to listen to because of the lyrical subject, which is more often than not; Misanthropy, I'm so edgy. Not really, I really do hate everything as established before. But, I will at least be civil here.
Naglfar are a Swedish band, so they've got to be good, since the Swedes just have some uncanny talent at anything they ever do, that crushes anybodies dreams at being successful *cough* Opeth *cough* Machinae Supremacy *cough* Naglfar *cough* anything ***ing Swedish!
Naglfar are also melodic black metal, melodies are some of my favourite things to be incorporated into metal of any kind. And it just bloody works with black metal for some reason, and I can say it's not wasted at all.
This is the band's 6th album, and they have got the magic from their earlier releases mixed well with their previous effort "Harvest" an album with some of my favourite efforts from Naglfar.
They successfully combine the rage and sound of their earlier albums, most notably Sheol and Pariah with the increasingly melodic tones present on Harvest and turn it into what many would consider a great triumph.
The only issue I have with the album being it's not long enough, but it is a Black Metal release, they're not known for being long like Prog bands or anything of that calibre.
This album also enticed me due to the Lovecraftian effort on here "The Monolith" which about halfway through had me chanting "Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn" repeatedly once I discerned the subject, being a Lovecraft fanboy I just had to do it, it didn't feel right without it. Judge me if you want, but I love me some Lovecraft. If you don't, I can safely say. I don't care, this is about the album, not some stupid argument.
The rest of the album incorporates a few of my favourite elements, Doom Metal elements on certain tracks like the aforementioned The Monolith, Bring Out Your Dead and Pale Horse. Pale Horse is also about the Horseman of the Apocalypse "Death" if you haven't read up your biblical tales.
Pros-
Doom metal elements
Cthulhu related
Epic melodic guitars
Great vocals
Cons-
Not long enough
Some songs repeat at times
Not enough melody
Inaccessable to new black metal fans
