Ragnarok     

Malediction
Agonia Records 2012

These Norwegians have been around so long and released so many albums that they have basically become a black metal institution.  Malediction is their seventh full-length album and it continues in the style of traditional Norwegian black metal that Ragnarok is so well known for.  If you have heard any material from Ragnarok at any point in their storied career then you know what you will get on Malediction; solid, straight-ahead black metal in the Nordic vein.  After an ominous synth-laden intro flows into the bombastic riffs of Blood Of Saints.  After a quick break there is a burning, aggressive black metal riff that is sliced through by the iron throat of HansFyrste.  Bursts of violent insanity are tempered by periods of bouncing groove as the track progresses.  Intense pacing that breaks into an Immortal-ish passage of stomping riffs herald the coming of an avalanche of frenzied guitar work and near melodies on Demon In My View.  A torrent of Norwegian black metal melodies streams from my speakers from the outset of Necromantic Summoning Ritual.  The song is relentlessly aggressive as riffs twist and contort like dragons in a maelstrom.  Malediction is solid black metal throughout, though it remains nothing overly spectacular either.  Divide Et Impera utilizes a strange, warped effect to accentuate the end of each volley of guitars for the main riff.  A more atmospheric, rock oriented segment rises during the song's inner core and is abruptly annihilated by blasting black metal.  A beautiful, traditional metal solo drifts across the initial sequence of Dystocratic.  Then, with little warning, a razor-sharp riff flays your ear drums.  By this time though i am starting to get a little worn on the album.  Though the songs are different enough, I feel a little bogged down by the songwriting.  Perhaps the album as a whole is a little too unrelenting in its nonstop assault.  The Elevenfold Seal however takes the melodic tendencies and amplifies them and the echoing vocals are a really nice touch.  Ragnarok have always embodied the tradition of Nordic darkness and with this album it is no different.  Freezing blasphemy that utilizes demonic vocals and frigid riffing to chill your soul.