Review of MASSEMORD "Skogen Kaller" CD (better late than never!)

Review of MASSEMORD "Skogen Kaller" CD found online at LUNAR HYPNOSIS webzine:
http://cp05.ionhosting.com/~joelh/massemordreviews.htm#skogen
review written by Joe Mlodik

Allegedly formed as far back as 1992, ‘Skogen Kaller’ is the debut album from Bergen, Norway based band Massemord. When I listen to Skogen Kaller I’m sometimes reminded of the early efforts from bands like Satyricon, Ulver, Enslaved, Gorgoroth, and even the Austrians from Abigor come to mind. So needless to say, but I’ll say it any way, Massemord plays what some would call true Nordic black metal. The sounds vary from raging fast raw black metal songs to more slow paced atmospheric so called misanthropic black metal songs similar to Burzum or Nargaroth. Sometimes they blend the two styles together and will throw a really good melodic riff at the listener when they least expect it. There is also some synth accompaniment, but it is used in moderation and when it is used it’s used more for backing ambiance rather than say a main instrument that’s easily heard.

The album starts out on fire with ‘Naar Solen Doer Back Fjellet’ an excellent song with both powerfully fast moments, but also some more melodic touches, eerie synth sounds, hellish screams, and even a pleasant acoustic guitar ending to it. ‘Solen Skinner Ikkje’ is probably my favorite song on the album, yet it bares similarities to the other songs on the album. I guess what really sets it apart from the other songs though is a very memorable riff that appears at about the 1:40 mark. The song also has an epic-ish feeling to it that brings those Finnish Vikings in Moonsorrow to mind. ‘I have Sipped the Blood’ mostly focuses on being brutal, even adding some death metal growls and it also has this loud bang that completely takes me by surprise. Likewise ‘Soul Deceiver’ & ‘My Last Breath’ are exceptionally commendable.

I could end this review by saying ‘and I thought Norwegian black metal was dead,’ but I know better than those other uninformed critics. I know well that Norwegian black metal is doing just dandy these days. If you don’t believe me then hear Massemord and their closely related band Sykdom, and don’t forget to add a little Taake and Tsjuder to the list. Be it the first song or the last, 'Skogen Kaller' is a powerfully blackened endeavor of (true) Nordic Black metal, well worth obtaining.

*(Score: 9 out of 10 )

July 29, 2005
By JJM