Band Origin: Stockholm, Sweden
Genre: Melodic Black/Death Metal
Release Date: 2006
Album downloads only available to members
Album Info / Review
Intro:
The frigid winds of Swedish black metal have long carried tales of frostbitten landscapes and inner turmoil, and Necrophobic, a name synonymous with unwavering aggression and atmospheric bleakness, returns with “Hrimthursum.” This offering, steeped in the guttural growls and razor-sharp riffing that have defined their career, delves deeper into the icy abyss, presenting a collection of tracks that are as punishing as they are evocative. “Hrimthursum” is not a departure; it is a refinement, a sharpening of the blade honed over decades of sonic warfare. The production, while retaining a raw edge, possesses a clarity that allows each instrument to bite with venomous precision, creating a sonic tapestry woven from shadows and ice.
Track Analysis:
“Hrimthursum” opens with the title track, an immediate barrage of blast beats and tremolo-picked fury that sets the tone for the entire album. The guitars churn with a relentless, mid-paced groove that evokes the lumbering gait of an ancient, ice-bound entity. The vocals, a guttural roar, are delivered with a palpable sense of ancient rage, a primal scream against the encroaching darkness. “The Serpent’s Kiss” injects a slightly more melodic, albeit still grim, sensibility. The riffing here has a serpentine quality, slithering through the sonic landscape with a menacing allure. The drumming is a masterclass in controlled chaos, punctuating the riffs with precise fills and thunderous double bass. “The Scythe of Sorrow” showcases Necrophobic’s ability to craft anthemic yet devastating passages. The chorus, if it can be called that, is a guttural chant that lingers long after the track has ended, imbued with a sense of inevitable doom. The guitar solos are not flashy displays but rather jagged shards of dissonance that pierce through the sonic density. “Beneath the Serpent’s Eye” shifts gears, introducing a more brooding, atmospheric section. The guitars take on a sludgier, more oppressive texture, creating a suffocating sense of dread before erupting back into their signature ferocity. The bass guitar, often a hidden weapon in black metal, is surprisingly prominent here, providing a solid, gnawing foundation. “The Obsidian Throne” is a pure, unadulterated assault. The tempo rarely dips, and the riffs are relentlessly aggressive, each chord a hammer blow to the skull. The vocals are at their most ferocious, a torrent of venomous pronouncements. “The Serpent’s Embrace” offers a brief respite in its intro, with a haunting, clean guitar melody that hints at a forgotten ritual, only to be swallowed whole by a crushing wave of distorted aggression. The track builds and recedes, creating a dynamic ebb and flow that keeps the listener on edge. “The Serpent’s Wisdom” closes the album with a sprawling, epic track. It weaves together elements of their signature sound with moments of chilling atmospheric passages. The guitar work here is particularly noteworthy, shifting between icy melodicism and raw, unbridled aggression, culminating in a final, sustained note that fades into the frigid silence.
Conclusion:
“Hrimthursum” is a testament to Necrophobic’s enduring power and their unwavering commitment to their sonic vision. It is an album that demands attention, a visceral experience that plunges the listener into a world of frost, shadow, and primal fury. While it may not reinvent the wheel of Swedish black metal, it polishes it to a terrifying sheen, offering a collection of tracks that are both brutal and compelling. This is an album for those who find solace in the storm, for those who embrace the darkness as a source of strength. Necrophobic has once again delivered a crushing blow, solidifying their position as titans of the genre.
Rating: 9/10
Highlight Track: The Serpent’s Wisdom
