Review by Alex Grindor on May 17, 2026.

Well, this was an unexpected surprise. Hailing from Oslo, Norway—a place more widely known as the focal point of the second wave of black metal—Nedgravd is a death metal band formed in 2020. And after six years, they have finally released their debut LP, Ascension, via Headsplit Records. And what a feast this album turned out to be.

If you're familiar with Infester's one and only album, "To The Depths, In Degradation", then this will certainly sate your hunger. And if you've ever thought, "Man, I love that record, but I wish it had a rawer sound," then your prayers have been answered. All the brutality and savagery of Infester is here, now filtered through a more lo-fi approach reminiscent of their black metal peers, with enough technical twists and turns to keep things engaging throughout.

Barely wasting any time with its introduction, Ascension delivers forty minutes of head-crushing brutality in every aspect. Furious riffs and twisted harmonies are backed by maniacal drumming and downright inhuman vocals. As stated before, the comparisons to Infester's lone LP are immediate, though Nedgravd often sounds even more savage. Keyboards are present as well, though used sparingly, becoming most noticeable during the slower, more ominous passages.

And the vocals... dear me, the vocals.

I haven't heard such a monstrous vocal performance in years. Perhaps it's enhanced by the lo-fi production, but the growls and shrieks sound absolutely demonic in execution. The album also features intro dialogues and spoken passages throughout several tracks. While they do add to the overall atmosphere, they never feel essential to the experience itself.

Production-wise, there's very little to complain about. Everything sits exactly where it should—perfectly audible while still reveling in murk, filth, and darkness. The raw production only enhances the album's ominous atmosphere, with every song oozing malice. Aside from the aforementioned intros, there is little else to criticize here. It is evident this material was rehearsed to perfection, recorded with precision, and then coated in dried blood and black mud.

Ascension stands among the best debuts I've heard in recent years, and it's a strong contender for album of the year. Nedgravd brings forth the darkness and savagery that is too often forgotten in death metal, honoring the past while delivering it with flawless execution. Setting aside a few minor details I wasn't entirely sold on, this is mandatory listening for fans of old-school death metal.

A reminder of how this style was—and always should be—meant to sound. A bit ironic, considering where the band comes from. Celebrate this unholy Ascension, and get yours from Headsplit Records.

Rating: 9 out of 10