Kev Rowland It was known during the recording of the previous album, 2016’s ‘Psychopathology’, that bassist DezeptiCunt was leaving and he was actually credited as a guest. By the time they came around to the next album in 2019, not only was new bassist Rammr fully blooded but Jontho had by now grown into his new role as frontman and singer. So, while Bolverk (guitars) and Malignant (drums) keep doing exactly what they have been doing before, there has been a step change in the other areas of the band. Firstly, Rammr has a far more melodic approach to both his playing and his tone than is usual in this form of music. That’s not to say that he will not play at breakneck speed when the time is right, but he also has very much his own style, and his playing can be quite languid at times, giving the music a quite different feel. Then there is Jontho, who has fully embraced his role of frontman, and is much more in control of what he is doing and aware of his performance.

For this album, all four members of the band contributed both musically and lyrically and they ended up with 20 songs, out of which they rehearsed 16, recorded 13, and then chose the best 10 for the album. Marduk's Devo was again at the helm, and he has captured the radical change the band has undergone. Playing this immediately after ‘Parapsychology’ and the difference in almost every aspect in quite noticeable. The new approach to bass gives a different sound, there is a lightness and confidence in the vocals, Malignant is fully confident that he is allowed to do his own thing on the drums and Bolverk is relaxed and playing better than ever. Ragnarok have been around for quarter of a century now, and they are starting to hit their stride. Norwegian black metal is rarely much better than this.

Kev Rowland 2016’s ‘Psychopathology’ was the first album from Norewegian Black Metal act Ragnarok after they parted ways with Hans Fyrste. Fyrste, who had been with the band since 2005, performing on 2010′s ‘Collectors of the King’ and 2012’s ‘Malediction’ left as he was unable to commit to the touring. This led to a decision needing to be made by founding member Jontho (drums), DezeptiCunt (bass) and Bolverk (guitars) as to what to do next. The solution they came up with was for Jontho to vacate the drum seat for new member Malignant (Dauden) and for him to become the frontman. He had provided backing vocals as long ago as their very first demo, ‘Et vinterland i nord’ all the way back in 1994, so perhaps it is not a huge leap but still somewhat unusual.

This album contains all the menace one expects from Norwegian Black Metal, but it must be said that the weakest element of the album are the vocals. The music is fast and furious, with Malignant having no problem in taking over from someone who had sat on the seat for 20 years and was still in the band! The bass is strong, mostly staying right behind the guitar in heavy frenetic riffing and lots of single notes, but Jontho is still coming to terms with his new role. He can sing low enough, and has plenty of passion and emotion, with his intonation much clearer than many of the genre which makes a pleasant change, but there are instances where he is detracting from what is going on as opposed to being a real force. This is more with his growls and screams as opposed to “singing”, as he does appear at times to be in a different key to the others and struggles a little to stay true. That being put to one side it is still a very good example of the genre, with strong production from Marduk's bassist Devo who of course really understands what the band are trying to achieve.

Time Signature Iron cross...

Genre: black metal

The most notorious black metal scene is probably the Norwegian one. I am not thinking in terms of the criminal acts it got associated with back in the 1990s, but in terms of the bands it spawned, ranging from the gritty and dirty raw black metal bands over the totally bleak ones and the avant-garde ones to the grandiose and symphonic ones.

Hailed as one of the most extreme black metal bands out there, Ragnarok has a history of regular line-up changes, but on their latest effort "Malediction", they deliver the goods. The music is intense and hateful, the way black metal should be. It is full of blastbeats and tremolo-picking, accompanied by harsh vocals. But at the same time, it is strangely melodic.

Several of the guitar figures are harmonic and inherently melodic. This stands in an interesting contrast to the harshness and aggressive nature that does dominate the music after all. But it also makes the album quite accessible in comparison to a lot of the other black metal releases that are out there. Another ingredient in the accessibility of the album is the production which, while not polished, is crisp and well-defined.

An album driven by aggression and hatefulness, but yet melodic and accessible, Ragnarok's "Malediction" is is recommended to both hardcore and casual black metal fans.