Besatt av maane og natt

Never mind the fact that Norwegian black metal band Djevel features members of Kvelertak, Koldbrann and NettleCarrier, this super group has created some of the best black metal to see the burning light of day since its creation in 2009. For those unfamiliar with the band, Djevel had previously released their first full-length LP entitled, Dodssanger, in 2011 followed up by a two song demo EP in 2012. However, it is now in 2013 with their recently released, Besatt av Maane og Natt, that the band has taken the cake as not just a super one-hit wonder, but that of a legitimate force to be reckon with.

Having been a big fan of both Kvelertak and Koldbrann, I was excited when in my research of Djevel to learn of NettleCarrier, a band I had yet to hear and knew very little about. I was surprised to learn they have been an active band since 2004 but just recently in 2012 debuted their only full-length record aptly named, NettleCarrier. After a good listen, I caught myself strikingly impressed with my new find and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of talent and influence they provide to Djevel (On a side note, I strongly suggest you find and buy their album).

So here we are with Djevel, a band comprised with members of three bands of the utmost talent and charisma, unleashing an album bursting at the seams with unholy death and darkness. Besatt av Maane og Natt strikes with relentless fury and a traditional black metal sound. Comprised of eight songs, with almost all of them averaging a time duration of six minutes, the album is a beast of a record at every level.

Besatt av Maane og Natt follows suit like that of its predecessor in that it plays forth in a traditional black metal approach. What makes Djevel stand apart from their contemporaries is the level at which their songwriting is performed. The album also boasts a higher leveled production quality while still maintaining the atmosphere of eeriness and grit right down to the cover art. Fans of the genre are sure to find a fix with album highlights such as, "Aapne Graver og Tomme...", "Tornekroner og Geitehorn", and "Stjernesluker". Moreover, woven into the blackened tapestry is a nice interlude that adds a sense of sorrow and mysticism in "Blant Fjell og Falne".

Besatt av Maane og Natt has it all and is presented in a way only Djevel could wield forth. With members of three highly respective bands, Djevel is a powerhouse of an unholy alliance. Legions of black metal aficionados will welcome the band, especially those with the love for such bands as Taake, Darkthrone, Windir and Tsjuder. Not only is Besatt av Maane og Natt a masterful release, it is the accumulation of a multi-talented band, and it is suggested you check out their other musical endeavors as well.
***Originally written for and by www.deathportal.net