Review by Jeger on June 8, 2026.

Across centuries of time and o'er enchanted lands forlorn has our journey through the annals of Black Metal history brought us. Here, now, on this eve of joining, of dark forces wrought and rendered over dually do we prepare for lore, for magick and for evils of the ancient kind. The veil that separates our world from that of great spirits of yore is thinning now as we approach the sound of their voices calling out from somewhere beyond Assiah. The voices of Norway's Enevelde and Gjendød as they've come together under the prestigious banner of Terratur Possessions for a split LP release, "Elegier Fra Avgrunnen", set for a June 6 unveiling. And it's time for a clinic in true Norwegian Black Metal…

You can't just decide one day as a musician that you're going to start writing true Black Metal for shits and gigs… In order for true BM to be made, there must be passion, there must be an organic understanding of the value of rebellion, of evil and of the way of the adversary. The Norwegian school has always proven stalwart in every such facet. Across eight salt-of-the-earth album cuts, Enevelde and Gjendød draw from the depths of the land a most enthralling volume of Mörk, Kampfar and Taake-reveling BM that explores the oft-unforgiving Norse landscapes along with ghastly tales of unseen but legendary forces that go bump in the night, darkness and evil, Townsfolk in the grip of hysteria and packaged so classily in modest yet impactful cover art. Alive with the rustic beauty of the language and the feeling of trueness, of genre nobility to rouse from within a sense of pride in the scene and in being one who stands under the Sign of the Black Mark.

This is the split you want. Not some crumby B-Side cuts and some demo track from Ancient times. Two prominent collectives coming together under the olde spirit of personal development through shared artistic expression, and the result is the striking opener by Enevelde, "Ut Av Deg Selv" - a somber chants-driven intro pulls you in as would a Black Hole into a plush gauntlet of ethereal tremolo riffs and gentle ride-accented beats until the mania of genuine anguish-inspired BM ensues: driving the rhythms forward now underneath intrepid riffs as the vocal agony of a hundred years bellows off into an atmosphere that is alive with elements of all I've just mentioned but not in an overwhelming way. Class and wisdom incarnate in regard to recording: mixing, mastering and tonality. A sense of classicism intertwining with a clean contemporary thread in these bitter, downright dreadful moments of "Langt Fra Umaken Verdt". A deep melodic touch and a silver lining around the palpable gloom to create a sense of liberation from within what has felt suffocating during some parts thus far.

Gjendød kicks off the second half with "Verden Våkner" and the similarities between these two entities are striking but also are their differences. Where the former makes an impact on a more melodic front, Gjendød are deploying a heartier, groove-dominated approach. A bit whimsical even in its delivery like some lost Carpathian Forest deep cut and then flashing some melodic steel of their own. Rhys King (Advent Sorrow) worship? Not intentional but striking too are the similarities between KK's tones/delivery and Rhys'. The following track, "Dødsrikets Pinsler" delivers those same dreadful/depressive tones as Advent Sorrow but unmistakable is the true Norwegian heart & soul of it. Gjendød's half of the recording proved to be more textured and unpredictable whereas Enevelde's felt cozier, a little more familiar. The very best in both collectives was brought out and that's the idea. Two proud Black Metal forces, one true Underground Label.

This is why the Norwegian scene is arguably the finest. This is why we will always return to the Norwegian product - this distinct ethos - all of these many influences converging together but yet so Norse all the same. A celebration! This is why Black Metal is more than a mere genre of music; why some people don't deserve to listen to it; why the gates must be kept! All things precious should be safeguarded… Enjoy.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10