Review by Felix on June 17, 2026.

It doesn't matter whether you take a look at the cover, the pictures in the booklet, or the sweet appearance of Chotzä’s lead singer. The visual "aesthetic" is repulsive — even more disgusting than the acoustic impressions. Honestly speaking, I would be happy if it were the other way around. Anyway, here comes Negu, Nietä, Schtachudrath, the fifth full-length of the sick Swiss bastards. Its title means “Nails, Spikes, Barbed Wire”, and it contains eleven tracks. While the first song — which is definitely more than just an intro — offers completely unexpected yet fantastic sounds, the remaining pieces reflect the band in their pure form.

Maybe the album is a step backwards in the sense that the slightly more mature approach of Pächschwarz does not reappear here. Some tracks show that Chotzä still have a weakness for punk-affine elements, and the same applies to a song title like 'Susi Suizid'. What a pun! This kind of stupidity smells of punk.

The bigger picture reveals a strategy focused on vehement, yet not entirely brutal material. Perhaps Chotzä know where their real strength lies, because a mid-paced track like 'Ir Autschtadt' belongs to the highlights of the album. Without a doubt, the song does not lack fast sections and terrorising vocals, but its most memorable element is the keyboard line that gives the chorus an almost dignified elegance. 'Missgeburt' is another nearly smoothly flowing killer. Its casual guitar line and mid-tempo approach form a more or less conventionally structured track. All elements work together, and despite its almost radio-friendly design, the track still radiates absolutely filthy vibes. But this is no surprise — the band’s entire universe seems to be covered in layers of caked-on grime, and this is one of their biggest strengths.

The dense and relatively straightforward production does not change this impression. The provincial dialect in the lyrics, combined with the boozy vocal delivery, is enough to make Chotzä seem antisocial to the core. A track like 'D’Hymnä' spits in the direction of the listener, who suddenly finds himself wiping two litres of snot off his face. To avoid misunderstandings, the surprise is not caused by the snot itself, but by its quantity, and of course by the disgusting, slimy green colour that suddenly gives the face a rather unpleasant new appearance.

Negu, Nietä, Schtachudrath connects songs that could easily have appeared on the previous album, Baphometamphetamin, with more rocking pieces like the title track. This is not a problem in itself, but a bit more clarity in the overall direction would have been welcome.

At the end of the tracklist, we find two very different songs. On one hand, Chotzä blow the listener away with the 37-second eruption 'Chotzä Vo Bern'. Is this a representative of the next generation of Nuclear Assault's 'Hang The Pope', only in instrumental form? At least it is just as brilliant as that legendary classic. On the other hand, 'Schlangä' strikes a surprisingly melancholic note. Naturally, this is a form of melancholy infested with mental vermin. Nevertheless, it is an unexpected ending to an album whose first proper track, 'Lagg, Läder, Latex Schlampä', suggests a far more direct approach.

In the end, three conclusions can be drawn. The new album is definitely not a disappointment. The stylistic variations are not extreme, but somewhat surprising after Pächschwarz. And finally, despite many strong tracks, there is no song here that can dethrone 'Schtächzähni', my all-time favourite from Chotzä.

Rating: 7.6 out of 10

Review by Jeger on August 20, 2026.

Oftentimes, it's back into the primordial where we must go in order to create; in order to create with dignity. Dignity is not a word that gets thrown around a lot in the Music Industry because there's not much there, unless you venture into the past, into the darkness and into where the olde ways are still alive in more than just spirit. For the Black Metal Artist; the genuine Black Mark Warrior, this is a constant - the search for purity - a quest for truly Genre-appropriate representation and as I mentioned above, sometimes the Artist must minimize…

Mørkgrim is a Norwegian/Swedish Folk Black Metal project that features one Hrafngrímnir (Main Composer) and the mighty drum lord, Dominator! (Dark Funeral, Nordjevel). Hrafngrímnir actually left the Black Metal Scene entirely in 1999, due to what became a very commercial Genre when compared to how it originated and there's nothing wrong with that. But despite his many other Artistic ventures (lucrative ones), the darkness was still alive and yearning; yearning for those first pure days when the very thought of Black Metal stirred up thoughts of Unholy War, scorched Cathedrals and simple hatred for Humanity along with the conveyance of another kind of Current - the Heathen ways of olde. Once all of this began to turn into what's known as the New Wave of Black Metal, it was a tough pill for some Artists to swallow.

Now, Mørkgrim has returned, and along with them the promise of the genuine article. Recorded in the pines somewhere where there aren't even any Municipalities, the project's debut LP, "Sǫgur Frá Norðfirði", will be released on October 2 via Soulseller Records. And we prepare for the mystification of Black Metal in its most meaningful form… Like pre-battle fanfare does this one begin: the strings, the authoritative rhythms and the anticipation are all enough to get your blood pumping. It's not long before sound becomes triumph and a full onslaught of true Scandinavian Black Metal ensues. The opening track, "Ramnen Kvæd": Fiendish snarls and elevating tremolo riffs, blast-beats and an atmosphere that is invigorated by sheer suspense. And Dominator's contribution only takes the music to unfathomable heights. His ability to perform at his usual intensity without taking anything away from the desired aesthetic is proving to be priceless.

There are times for contemplation or reflection like during "Mørkt" - a quasi-tribal, folkish, chant-infused, magickal collection of minutes to draw up imagery of vultures circling over spent battlefields, a Murder of Crows to harbinger fates unwanted and proud warriors by the shadow-casting light of bonfire, as they homage the Great Olde Ones with song. The overall vibe of the album, despite our Sverige friend behind the kit, is true Norwegian Black Metal in the vein of Taake, Gehenna or Kampfar, only fresher, more nuanced and with unparalleled understanding of what constitutes the genuine Norse BM experience.

As you take in the gentle moments of the intro to "Freyja Kvað", it's with the most profound sense of anticipating what lies beyond the breath, and what transpires is a piece of true Norse artwork - Medieval as a Bastard Sword and visual like a short film, what a remarkable piece. There are plenty of other superlatives to mention from piano accents and even some Black & Roll action during the sleazy "Vardðlokkur". "Sǫgur Frá Norðfirði" is the product of passion rightfully directed and a long time coming for Hrafngrímnir. Prepare for a trip through time! Through heritage and tradition. This is why we do this, why Black Metal - true NORSE Black Metal shall always prevail. Well done.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10