27 December 2024
The winter season makes me feel sluggish. I don’t feel like doing much. I even took a break from writing reviews, which I love very much. On the other hand, I have listened to some really good albums during this time. I added a few to my review list, and my number one among them is Djevel’s latest album Natt till Ende.
The album, which is a combination of Trånn Ciekals’ musical vision, Faust’s metronome-like drums and Kvitrim’s excellent vocals, continues the guaranteed musical excellency tradition for Djevel, who have never disappointed since their very beginning.
With his band, Ciekals, who has clearly grown and flourished in the bossom of Norwegian black metal, absorbs it like a cannabis leaf that filters all the air around and emits high amounts of pure oxygen, and presents us with everything about Norwegian black metal in most flawless and intense form. There are hundreds/thousands of bands who perform black metal, but there are very few who do it as well as Djevel. Even the beautiful references to Norwegian nature, mythology or painting art on the album covers are enough to make one notice and wonder about Djevel among many other bands.
Djevel are the masters of what they do, just like football teams that are constantly seen as the biggest candidates for the Championship in the leagues they are in. The band, whom I praise so much even as a listener, have rightfully been highly appreciated by the Norwegian music authorities. They succeeded to win the Spellemann awards in 2022.
As for the album, first of all, I must say that the previous album was a little better. However, the reason for this is that that album is a kind of masterpiece of the band. Djevel, who I can say is one of the leading bands that cannot make bad albums, always make very good music. The album, where you can find all the trademarks of Norwegian black metal, consists of 7 songs, one of which is instrumental.
According to the band, Natt til ende is the last and final conclusion in the trilogy about the “night”. Ciekals adds that this last chapter is his manifesto of the ending of christianity and death of Jesus, in both physical and mental shape. Again, an album where exquisite riffs and icy northern melodies are used, making you experience the glorious darkness of the night auditorily.
Having a reasonable duration, the album, which starts off with the first single Bespottelsen, flows like water. The last song that gives the album its name, Natt til Ende, is the longest song of the album with a duration of 14 plus minutes. Being a fan who has been listening to Djevel for years, this is the first time I have ever heard so much Burzum in a Djevel song. In addition to the general ambiance of the song, Kvitrim’s vocals also resemble Varg’s vocals. I would also like to draw attention to the 3rd song En Vinter efter Kommer. There are wonderful choral vocals bringing to mind the old works of Ulver and Satyricon.
If you wish to taste it, I recommend you to listen to this song first. It is a magnificent piece of music. Today’s Black metal audience owes a lot to Mr. Ciekals, the pagan monks robe wearing black metal master. Very well done.
9,5/10
