Review by Jeger on October 27, 2026.

When speaking of Black Metal as a viable art form, it is essential that all preconceptions involving anything you might have heard in the Mainstream be cast away, because to romanticize Black Metal and to ensconce it in the beauty or the savagery of different eras throughout history is art in its most genuine, captivating form. Through the majesty of Ancient mystical Forests - their Castles looming just over our shoulders under the soft sheen of silver Moon and with weapons of fighting the good fight in hand do we venture. For these are Medieval times! A time for Men of steel, of blade and of shield, but also of brush & canvas, of theatre and of song. This is the Renaissance! And here is Switzerland's Szivilizs… On December 17th Szivilizs will release his second album, "Totätänzer" via Dominance of Darkness.

A Castlevania adventure… A melancholic descent into deep sorrow, a flighty lift from the drab of your day into this carefully crafted environment of sound where the atmosphere breathes through the splendor of the Woodwind and cries out with Folkish chants during gorgeous tracks like "Chlepfsaft" where you will be transported from now into a time when Common Men only lived to be in their 30's and so life was a fevered quest for passion and enlightenment before one died of disease, lack of sanitation or nutrition. But here in the throes of "Totätänzer", you will only experience the era in its most artful tones. The magick of Synths and Acoustics, of Ancient rhythms - enraptured by the sound of "Minnesang" - a romantic affair that speaks to the versatility of Black Metal as you take in bittersweet melodies, oaken rhythms and the will to dance the night or to recite some poetry.

Some will argue that a higher level of production quality would have suited the album better… But those of us who truly understand the nature of these records also understand that stripping down a bit is necessary in order to properly capture the essence of Medieval times. A highly visual adventure of a Black Metal record; one that will see you galloping upon Horseback into expansive meadows, lurking into the dankest Medieval Dungeons and mesmerized under the weight of Szivilizs' own powerful vocals as he unleashes fiendish growls, bloodcurdling screams and hearty grunts. But also dramatic shouts from out of the backdrop; inspiring one to take up arms and ride off into warring fields of battle. And yet the magick of every moment of every track still remains, even during the album's boldest moments.

For the Black Metal guy who has been listening for decades, the one who had to eventually trade in his Dark Funeral costumes for a Suit of Armor and a Bastard Sword, his Tsjuder-like hatred for a deeper insight into matters involving art and its many inspiring qualities. A time to continue evolving until we reach the point of listening to I, Voidhanger Records bands… Prepare! To escape, to appreciate and to explore all in one sitting. Szivilizs gets it… A Man whose vision for Black Metal aligns with only those of a most Artistic nature - the Underground - a Mecca for creative dark expression where projects like this one thrive as they're experienced by genuine Connoisseurs as opposed to your run-of-the-mill Mayhem fan. The Renaissance awaits! Savor the many flavors of this one, my friend. You won't regret it…

Rating: 10 out of 10