Nord...

Setherial are a great brand of bm, original enough to pique my interest, but not so original that there is no discernable root. While this is by no stretch of the imagination completely original, it is quite original in its own ways. So what is Nord...?

Nord is certainly fast, but, due to the nature of the mixing and performance, drums really weren't put front center. Sure, they have this monstrous, majestic sense to them, but this isn't fast drumming for fast drumming's sake. Nord is an anomaly, in that sense. It's colder than fuck and is certainly kvlt, but it's got a very great performance, and a weird (but REALLY GOOD) production. The production is certainly abyss flavoured (as that's where it was recorded) because of the metallic guitars and drums. However, Peter Tatgtren must've been feeling like doing something different, because the MIX is more akin to Emperor's In The Nightside Eclipse. The drums are dominated by the bass drum and cymbals, as opposed to Tatgtren's usual snare. The guitars form a haze of sound over the drum holocaust, creating a storm of fury and passion. So does it belong in the "tr00" section of black metal? Or the abyss-y, brutal, death metal influenced section? Clearly the former. The addition of acoustic guitars on most of the songs lend it an epic quality, as do the long song lengths.

So have I answered the question, "What is Nord?" Not really. Why? Because Nord is, oddly enough, impossible to peg. Everytime you think you have it down, it surprises you with another odd detail. The only certain thing is, it's 100% atmosphere. It is PERFECT for getting in the black metal mood. There is not a bad moment, AT ALL, on the CD. So why didn't I give this a 99 or a 100? Because there are times when it sorta drags on, without carrying much with it, and the first and third songs could've been a bit shorter. Overall, that doesn't detract much, if any, from the album, and this is easily one of the best black metal albums I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. It belongs in the category of such albums as Dissection's "Storm of the Light's Bane", Demilich's "Nespithe", Burzum's "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss", and Deteriorot's "In Ancient Beliefs", in the sense that it's really flawless. The only flaw it EVER has is the dearth (not lack) of completely awesome riffs. It's that good.