Every once in a while you happen to pick the right album listen to at the exact right time. I've been meaning to listen to Vargrav for some time, but never got off my ass and put the record on the table. On a whim I decided to correct that today. I made the right choice.
Some albums make me remember why black metal is my favorite genre, Netherstorm appears to be one of those albums. The instant the needle hit the record, keyboards swell into the wonderful opening riff of the title track. This is the good shit.
At it's heart, Netherstorm is a tribute to early Emperor. The riffs and atmosphere reek of In the Nightside Eclipse. The intro of Limobo of Abysmal Void sounds like it could have been lifted off of any of the songs on there. The way the guitars slowly build in that tremolo riff and how the keyboards blanket the background to create a dark and necro atmosphere. Then the riff returns a few minutes into the song a galloping drum beat underneath... it gives me goosebumps. Easily the best song on the album.
Despite how strong many of the moments in the album are, there are points where it does overstay its welcome. Obedient, Tolerant, Ensnared could have been about 2-3 minutes shorter and been more impactful. In addition to the length some of the transitions are awkward. The music builds into what would logically turn into a booming crescendo but instead it putters out into a riff that sounds out of place in the album. Instead of a triumphant climax the riff instead gives almost has a death metal chugging feel to it. It breaks the flow of the song for me.
That said, most of the album is well above average black metal. I didn't know this until recently, but the main composer behind Vargrav is the same dude who does Druidan Forest. Prior to this writing I was already well acquainted with the dungeon synth project. It would only make sense that his black metal is also a cut above.
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