“Classic Norse black metal filled with blood-freezing atmosphere” is the promise from Gjendød. It doesn’t take long to be subjected to relentless and murderous drumming and bleak riffage. Vocally, these are the growls of someone who sounds in pain. But it’s the constant and merciless instrumentals, which take us to the days of yore. The violence transforms to images of nooses and rancid cellars. The title track edges along creepily. The vocalist now sounds like he’s spitting blood prior to death. The riff suggests that human foibles are of no interest. Four minutes in, it spreads its wings and we seem to enter yet darker territory. This is an ode to hopelessness and despair. There is majesty in the drum work but on a human front, we’re sunk. We are then lifted from the torpor as a fast and furious black metal assault is upon us. It’s old school and dirty. “Nedstiging”, which means Descent, swings between this and ghastly and tortured death scenes with great effect. Fire and fury return on the compelling “Amputasjon av Vranglæren” (Amputation of Falsehood) – no wasting time here, and more swinging violence gets under way as “Kvalt av Fornuft” plumbs new depths. And so the monstrous attack goes on. It gets angrier and more furious. “Utrydd Den” (Exterminate It) lives up to its title, laying waste to everything around it. The final track translates as new insight (Ny Innsikt) but I’m not sure what new insight there could be as by this stage Gjendød have destroyed everything in front of them.

This is an intense debut from Norwegian duo Gjendød. Stylistically it’s nothing new as this 34 minute album blasts its way down the route of furious, rancid and life-extracting old school type black metal.

(7/10 Andrew Doherty)

https://www.facebook.com/Gjend%C3%B8d-1099509976778327

https://hellthrasherproductions.bandcamp.com/album/nedstigning