Review by Felix on January 10, 2026.

The recipe for classic black metal in the vein of Emperor or Dimmu Borgir before they became a narcissistic bunch of progressive metal apostles or an idiotic circus is well known. The basic ingredient is rage, fed by dark emotions of all kind. Furthermore, you need some slightly mystic or bombastic melodies, a few orchestral parts and an affinity for epic song structures. Finally, if you are able to add more or less poetic lyrics or at least song titles, then you are in the business. "When Night Rode Across The North", the name of Haimad's first full-length (30 years after the first demo!) does not lack style and the fantastic artwork would even be a compliment to a band like Summoning, the godfathers of gigantic covers. Okay, it is certainly not the last word in wisdom that the same picture adorns the back in mirror image. Is this perhaps a hidden tribute to Bathory's "Nordland" albums? No clue, but what I know is that Haimad deal with the tried and tested elements in a competent manner. This does not mean that everything works. I will come to the ambivalent facets later – it makes more fun to describe the positive things of "When Night Rode Across The North".

Despite a somewhat flat production, the Swedish duo is able to create a certain depth whenever they come in a good flow. "Where Serpents Wait In Withering Ruins" is an example of their proper blackness, their almost irresistible momentum and their malicious aura. Given this fact, the song is on an equal footing with "Nen Cenedril". This track shines with its expressive melody lines and its rigorous guitar work. It shows the ability of the Swedes to create majestic arrangements and does not lack a natural black metal feeling – even though the keyboards are almost too dominant from time to time and I also doubt that the job at the drums has been done by a human being. It sounds pretty robotic and computerized. But I am tolerant (sometimes) and so I don't care. These two songs are definitely very well done and in their best moments, they mirror the spooky twilight atmosphere of the artwork.

The B side offers three tracks and, well, they do not really disappoint, but to be honest, I expected a little bit more. Their configurations are somewhat predictable. Despite the general vehement approach, silent parts show up in order to create different moods. On the one hand, everything is solidly done, on the other hand, I miss a few truly exciting moments. Maybe one reason for this lack of thrilling sections is the relatively flat, compressed production. It does not give the guitars a lot of space to breathe. With that said, it is hardly possible for the songs to spread the majestic feeling they want to convey. Aggravating the situation, the silent sequences are not as expressive as they should be and their integration is not always well done. The calm intermezzo of the actually good "Of Smokeless Fire and Smouldering Ash" tears the track into two parts rather than blending harmoniously into the fast-paced sections. I'm afraid that after 30 years, the temptation to include all facets of Haimad's musical approach on the album was simply irresistible. That's a bit sad, because less non-metal parts would have been more and the raging sequences of this debut full-length are definitely worth listening, not on a par with "In the Nightside Eclipse", but they are robust, vigorous and with a certain touch of sinister elegance. So my conclusion is that Haimad have a resilient, over-average potential and some good ideas, but they need to channel them more efficiently. If they do so (and if they reduce the operetta-like sounds), the next album, probably scheduled for 2055, will be great.

Rating: 7.3 out of 10

Review by Jeger on October 6, 2025.

The Golden Age of Melodic Black Metal - a storied era when some of the genre's greatest music was being created: Dissection, Sacramentum and Mörk Gryning - torchbearers for one of the great eras of Scandinavian Black Metal. A lost art it seems, but alas! There has been an elevated number of bands/Artists here recently who've made it their point to remind us of those good ole days. And then there is Haimad… Formed in 1994. One demo, three EPs and one forthcoming debut LP that's been 31 years in the making in "When Night Rode Across The North" make up their very modest discography. How very Black Metal… What you'll discover here in this debut, set for a November 7 release via Northern Silence Productions, is Black Metal of an admirable kind. The talent shines, but it's in the songwriting where you'll begin to understand Haimad's experience. Harkening back to those days of mystification at the speaker and of wild Occult fantasies.

What an acquisition for Northern Silence! This is something special indeed. All the elements of what makes up the classic Melodic / Symphonic experience but revved up a bit in the engineering department; resulting in music that will appease both the experienced enthusiast and the contemporary connoisseur. Just right… Just the right arrangement of symphonic parts with baser phases. Not symphonic enough to be considered straight SBM, but enough to give the album an added element of epic. The titular track is the beginning. Easing you into the experience, all the while as the suspense builds during the intro until erupting! Like a molten fissure of high-intensity, pressurized Black Metal: complex rhythms giving way to blasts, racing tremolo riffs giving way to majestic atmospheric elements. There's a lot to like here…

Medieval vibes during "Naur". A cinematic intro to thrust you into the grime. At a slower tempo now and digging its way in is the music - treacherous and beautiful at the same time. Hypnotic lulls oft break into liberating passages that feel like free-fall, and the intrepid rhythm of it along with the atmosphere bolster the music from front to back - a complete recording. "Voice Of The Dread Abomination" hits like a post-battle dopamine surge: even-tempo'd, heavily melodic and mellow. Opiate for the spirit. Acoustics blend with gentle symphonic parts; creating moment to remember after moment to remember. And like a century's heartache does "Of Smokeless Fire And Smouldering Ash" make its presence felt. Soak in the downpour and prepare to be rocketed once again into Black Metal's astonishing fourth dimension. Shades of Beherit's "Demon Advance" glimmer sinisterly atop dreadful rhythms and gut-wrenching riffs. Heavy doses of melancholy to weigh you down, ensnaring drama to keep you locked in.

An adventure! A journey back into that fabled glory day. So many bands are attempting it, few are getting it right like Haimad and "When Night Rode Across The North". There was a certain kind of medieval majesty to Jon Nödtveidt's (Dissection) style of riffing and that familiar feel is prevalent throughout this record. A glorious homage to "The Somberlain" and "Storm of the Light's Bane" eras of Dissection. And it obviously doesn't stop there. Black Metal worthy of fanfare! Sound the trumps and pound the drums, for this is the quintessential Melodic / Symphonic BM excursion. Welcome to the realm of Emperor, Dissection, Graveland and "Stormblåst" era Dimmu Borgir. It's all right here and sounding as sweet as it did back in '95. A lost art found? One step closer with "When Night Rode Across The North".

RAting: 8.5 out of 10