Black metal has really come around for me in the past few years where I was essentially just bored of the genre. While many black metal bands are putting out some solid releases, Nordjevel have really hit the nail on the head with their latest, Necrogenesis (Osmose). This release is more than just thirty minutes of blast beats and some abrasive anti-Christian lyrics. This Norwegian outfit is all about progressing forward while holding onto their roots as well in a well-done harmony. Even the length of forty-seven minutes seems like a little much for a black metal record of the current era, but the welcome is certainly not overstayed.

‘Devilry’ feels like an old black metal track from the 1990’s but fortunately does not sound like it was recorded in a Pringles can. The riffs chug along and kept my head bobbing through the entirety of the track. Of course, there is an epic track as well like all good black metal albums do. ‘Black Lights From The Void’ sits in the heart of Necrogenesis and might be one of the best tracks on the whole album. The guitar leads in the beginning are haunting, yet beautiful, as they lead you down a dark path and keeps poking out throughout the song. The tempo is a little lower compared to some of the other tracks as well which helps keep the listeners’ attention. On the other side of the spectrum, you have one of the silliest Nordjevel track names in ‘Amen Whores’. This ripper of a track does not let up from start to finish and is guaranteed to melt your face off especially in the bridge around the three-minute mark. While the track name is a little silly, do not sleep on this one.

Having caught these guys play a live set at the 2018 Maryland Deathfest, I had a good idea of what to expect. Necrogenesis, however, greatly surpassed my expectations and has become one of my most played black metal albums of late. There is not a track on this record that I get tired of or skip at all which is a huge plus especially within this genre that seems to find working formulas and stick to it. Nordjevel is helping pave the way for what Norwegian black metal should sound like moving forward into the next decade.

8 / 10

TIM LEDIN