The cover of this EP from Finland’s Norns, whose releases since 2005 have involved the typical pattern of a fund-deprived band comprising a demo, participation in a split and now this, reminds me of that “Black Metal Cookies” spoof video – check it out if you haven’t seen it.
Sure enough, to go with the classic pose this 19 minute emission of old school black metal bile has the flavour of burning crosses and filthy rants. Frost-bitten and harsh, the riff and drum line of “Desecration” burn themselves into your brain. It goes on a bit like this and stops for no particular reason. There’s nothing you’ve not heard before here but this is Norns. The title track is more of the same. It’s slightly more pulsating – hard to tell when it’s so gnarled and grainy – and the fire remains lit. There’s somewhere in there a melodic line and subtlety of rhythm which draws you into the fire and the entry to hell. “Howling from the Past” is fast, furious and of course hostile. The drum sets the pace as this track finds another repetitious groove. “Winds of Blasphemy” closes this short blast. More slow, funereal and ghastly, it sticks to the spirit of the genre with its lack of mercy and fire.
“Pazuzu” is a representation of various sides of old school black metal. No more, no less. It’s not original but it’s just good and honest.
(6/10 Andrew Doherty)
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