Review by JD on November 30, 2011.

France has been going through a metal renaissance of sorts. So many amazing acts are coming out to surprise the metal world - and their own version of Black Metal is so unique and powerful to even rival the more known Scandinavian BM. One of the more impressive ones is France’s oddly Germanically named Blut Aus Nord (Bad German Grammar meaning ‘Blood from North’) to appease the dark Lord.

Combining an Avant-guarde twist to some very brutal Black Metal, Blut Aus Nord stands a brilliantly executed and demonically driven force. With pummeling guitars and very off beat yet infectious style for their harmonies, this band shocks and excited every BM fan with their own brand of malevolent music.

The whole album is just incredible, putting the ‘o’ back in the term original. Each track is a bloodthirsty calamity set in heaven scaring heaviness tnhat stabs at the very heart of God. Not one song stands out, as they all seem to weave together into a hellish tapestry that had been woven using the skin of the unborn as the fabric. Intense and powerful, this is Black Metal at its most blasphemous best. Amazing as this album is, it is the second concept in a three album long hell-tale.

Set the black candles and make the star of Satan, this album will be the musical backdrop to all of your black masses for years to come. Blut Aus Nord has become my favorite Black Metal band behind the great Venom. They have redefined the genre for me, and has added in a little more to scare away any angels that have the foolishness to hang around.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship:9
Atmosphere: 9.5
Production: 9
Originality: 10
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Review by JD on March 2, 2009.

Viking metal certainly has become a amazing sort of movement in the Metal world as of late. I was not quick to jump on the bandwagon when I first started to hear it coming out quite awhile ago, wanting to see how it would start to grow and what it had to offer. I happen to now be a pretty big fan, and I have found a band that really does this sort of thing better than most out there.

Hailing from the small country of the Netherlands, Myrkvar come forth to ride their longboats of metal with swords held high, rape and plunder every stage that they play upon and leave you bloodied and laying on the ground while leaving with their ill gotten gains in their clutches. They do this so well... that I must take the time to throw them a proper salute.

On to the music... The guitars are dense as rock, and heavy enough to be almost Black Metal stirring while the pretty folk parts that lilt out everywhere seem to easily intertwine with the bombastic nature of the band. Those two opposing sort of sides of the band just adds in it's own brand of power while the growling vocals spew forth it's message with a fire unmatched. Despite these lyrics being in a different language than my normal speech, I was still so very transfixed by the sheer power the band exudes.

If you can over look the language barrier, and just enjoy the force of the music as it warps out of the speakers... give Myrkvar a try. The heaviness mixing with the shades of prettiness will win you over... the beast like power will keep you transfixed on the spot.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship:8.5
Atmosphere: 8.5
Production: 8
Originality: 8
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.3 out of 10

Review by JD on March 2, 2009.

Viking metal certainly has become a amazing sort of movement in the Metal world as of late. I was not quick to jump on the bandwagon when I first started to hear it coming out quite awhile ago, wanting to see how it would start to grow and what it had to offer. I happen to now be a pretty big fan, and I have found a band that really does this sort of thing better than most out there.

Hailing from the small country of the Netherlands, Myrkvar come forth to ride their longboats of metal with swords held high, rape and plunder every stage that they play upon and leave you bloodied and laying on the ground while leaving with their ill gotten gains in their clutches. They do this so well... that I must take the time to throw them a proper salute.

On to the music... The guitars are dense as rock, and heavy enough to be almost Black Metal stirring while the pretty folk parts that lilt out everywhere seem to easily intertwine with the bombastic nature of the band. Those two opposing sort of sides of the band just adds in it's own brand of power while the growling vocals spew forth it's message with a fire unmatched. Despite these lyrics being in a different language than my normal speech, I was still so very transfixed by the sheer power the band exudes.

If you can over look the language barrier, and just enjoy the force of the music as it warps out of the speakers... give Myrkvar a try. The heaviness mixing with the shades of prettiness will win you over... the beast like power will keep you transfixed on the spot.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship:8.5
Atmosphere: 8.5
Production: 8
Originality: 8
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.3 out of 10