Nifelheim, Envoy of Lucifer

Seven years have passed since their blasphemous touch last laid finger on the black metal scene and now Nifelheim are back with 10 tracks paying homage to the dark lord they have served so diligently. Envoy of Lucifer isn’t a revolutionary album. It doesn’t push any boundaries within the blackened death genre. It’s an honest, brutal and terrorizing attack on all things holy in only the way that Nifelheim could deliver.

Recorded solely in analog this disc is a straight forward, no frills black metal onslaught on the senses. Be prepared to be buried in a sea of pummeling drums, relentless guitar work and death shrieks from Hellbutcher sure to set your world ablaze in Satanic fury. I don’t care how contrived the band may sound with a dated take on black metal, it’s actually quite refreshing in a genre that sees many overly produced pretenders to the dark throne. So in the words of Nifelheim, “Fuck off!”

Infernal Flame Of Destruction
The opening track starts with a sick riff before delving into the depths of hells with demon riding blasts from the drums and caustic riffs. The 3:00 mark has an solo that can only be described as the ripping of angels’ wings.

Evocation Of The End
“Evocation of the End” starts with an evil bit of raw drum work and riffing before descending into pummeling chaos with evil hooks and screams. This one is aggressive and evil to a fault with a frenzied assault.

Open The Gates Of Damnation
The title of this one does more than just proclaim the band’s goal, it actual does open the gates to some dark netherworld as Nifelheim tear through riff after evil riff with bludgeoning drums. This is another raw and frenzied bit of nihilistic black metal. I love the evil bit of guitar work starting at the 2:30 mark, right before the band picks up the the pace to apocalyptic levels.

Claws Of Death
The opening riff on “Claws of Death” is pretty sweet. This one has a bit more of a slower pace at the beginning, but the band quickly makes up for it with blinding drums and riffs. These Swedes know how to tear through some blackened thrash with extreme prejudice. There are plenty of temp changes through out this one to keep you on your toes.

Storm Of The Reaper
A slightly dramatic bit of guitar work starts this on off with timed blasts from the drums before the band shifts into high gear with a driving beat and huge scream. This one certainly has an old school thrashing black metal feel to it.

Envoy Of Lucifer
The title track starts off with a goofy, evil laugh and clangs from some chunk of metal as the band descends into churning chaos with maddening riffs and spastic drum work. This one is all over the place and leaves you dizzy and branded with the sign of the beast when it’s all said and done.

Evil Is Eternal
Light drum work gets this one going as an early 80s metal riff comes into play. The combo lasts till the :40 second mark as the band shifts into a galloping mid-tempo pace. The vocals are layered and nearly indecipherable as the pace continues along. I just can’t seem to get enough of this one and the great solo at the 2:12 mark.

Raging Flames
After that throwback of a song in “Evil is Eternal” the band come back to the modern world with an evil bit of guitar work and thundering drums. With a quick shout the band cracks open some skulls with a pile driving bit of drum work and pummeling bass work as the vocals kick in.

Belial’s Prey
More raw and tainted black metal abound on “Belial’s Prey.” There’s a great opening riff and an overall aggressive pace to this one.

No More Life
The final track on Envoy of Lucifer starts off softly with some bass and light guitar work. The 30 second mark sees the band opening up some decent hooks and light drumming before entering a demonic marching anthem.

~ ~ ~

Nifelheim’s Envoy of Lucifer is a caustic, raw and malicious bit of black metal that certainly won’t garner the band any awards for innovation, but only proves to cement the group’s legacy in the genre. Their music is aggressive, ferocious and pisses in the face of conformity and religion with a no frills presentation that will have die hard black metal fans drooling for more.

Favorite Tracks:
Evocation Of The End
Open the Gates of Damnation
Storm of the Reaper
Envoy of Lucifer
Evil is Eternal
Raging Flames

Additional Notes:
N/A