Album Review: Naglfar - Cerecloth
Reviewed by Tim Finch
It is eight long years since Naglfar last released an album, it’s also six years since the band first announce they were writing their seventh studio album. This week, the beast finally rears its head and ‘Cerecloth’ is unleashed on the world. For Naglfar this has been a labour of love, the underlying themes of the album, as described by guitarist Andreas Nilsson “The usual death and destruction”.
Whilst the Naglfar beast lay dormant, the world changed, music moved on, but in writing the album, the band have produced a behemoth that is still as relevant today as it would have been in the past.
An atmospheric introduction leads us into album opener, title track ‘Cerecloth’. A meteroric death metal riff opens up and leads us into the fast pace, yet dark and haunting song. Kristoffer W. Olivius guttural cries ring through the listeners ears.
The album progresses through a barrage of blast beats along with defined and succinct riffs that help tell the deathly tales the band have written lyrically. Whilst the direction is maintained throughout, tempo changes keep the listener enthralled. ‘Cry of the Serafim’ slows the pace, ups the atmosphere as the hairs stand on your neck. It’s eerie, haunting and ultimately enthralling to listen to. ‘A Sanguine Tide Unleashed’ sits in contrast, fast paced from the off, almost upbeat in nature – if a black metal song can ever be called such – yet continuing the intensity of the delivery. All this rounded out with ‘Last Breath of Yggdrasil’, whilst keeping the dark atmospheric theme it feels almost anthemic in nature, those beats booming out, rounding out the album.
Fans have waiting a long time for this release, and they will not be disappointed. Through their hiatus the trio have crafted a masterpiece of black metal music, fine-tuned to perfection leaving the listener in no doubt – Naglfar are back!
