Review by Jeger on May 19, 2025.

As the sun aches to cast its warmth upon the darkest land of Suomi, and as the spirits writhe within the formless Astral Plane,  Pietarsaari, Pohjanmaa's Ondfødt conduct their diabolical orchestra o'er the frigid scapes; drawing forth the souls of the Great Olde Ones to reign again if only for the moments at hand. Tremble! Bow to them now as the Heavens blaze and the earth beneath quakes to the sound of true Finnish black metal. Dimly lit torches of aeons forlorn to guide us upon ancient shores of death and of transformation on this, the eve of reckoning. The ever-fertile Finnish black metal underground - spawning and catapulting the likes of Sargeist, Satanic Warmaster and even the mighty Archgoat into its uppermost echelons while burgeoning acts like White Death, Aethyrick and Ondfødt toil away within its nether-regions. For the latter, the Black Mark has been a way of life since 2013, and they've five magisterial LP's to boast. On May 16, Ondfødt released their fifth volume, Dimsvall, via German label, Eisenwald.

A little Azaghal worship never hurt anyone… Within Dimsvall, you'll discover, following the mood-setting titular intro, "Födärvis Tid": stylistically redolent to Azaghal's latest "Alttarimme On Luista Tehty" LP, brutal to its core and yet scaling compositionally upward towards the blackened azure. Lightning cracking the dim evening skies as soulful leads emanate ominously into a deathly chasmic atmosphere. Don't let the warm Atmospheric BM-like cover fool you, for this is unadulterated aggression incarnate. Scrambling your senses and churning your innards into knots whilst the following track, "Tuonela", unfolds to inertia-inducing riffs and jackhammer blast-beats that carry over unexpectedly into an almost soothing underlay of silky-smooth double-bass currents. Majestic chorales create a most supernatural experience. The vocals are of the brutish Death Metal consort; synergistically twisting into the mix like a vortex.

This is one of those "holy shit" records that makes its dual-sided impact with unpredictability but also a sense of warm familiarity. This is an authentic Suomi affair through and through. Following the melodious "Futuria", the punishment continues with "Svartsyn" - another savage cut like the aforementioned "Födärvis Tid", but dramatic in its own unique way. Contemplative spoken word vocals and epic, almost hypnotic/slow-burning progressions turn an otherwise aggressive recording into something fit for ritual. Completely bass driven is every cut on the album. During some parts, the guitars are stripped away; exposing gargantuan bass-lines just before soaring leads send you spiraling above it all - fists clenched - allowing this excursion into the realm of deathly curses have its way.

This is why the Finns do black metal better than anyone: so much substance, so much character and so much depth. Like a hearty Sahti that warms the gut, all the while as it intoxicates with its bold spirits. Dimsvall closes with "Stormin". Letting yourself go now. Like the deepest and the most dreadful melancholy does this properly epic closer enshroud you. What a gorgeous way to close out what's been a brilliant record. May the crisp Finnish dawn awaken us! May the faded dreams of yesteryear remind us of our own futility and may existence continue to curse us all, as we spiral downward into death's icy grip. 45 minutes worth of gripping Suomi black metal… Don't miss this one.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10