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Nachtfalke, the newest project of Occulta Mors (ex-Moonblood), is a searing blast of pagan winter. In the fine old tradition of Bathory, this is quite a stylistic change from Moonblood. The album is primarily concerned with achieving a deep atmosphere, rich in pagan and Viking mood and feel. Utilizing such an image, Nachtfalke transcends all modernist ideal. In so doing, the ancient, epic fury of the past is brought alive again, in defiance of normative societal operation.

To attain such artistic fruition, Nachtfalke puts a new spin on classic aesthetic ideas. A raw, wintry guitar sound, reminiscent of Immortal circa Battles in the North though slightly more organic, centralizes a majority of the album’s aural fury. Leads, though employed only scarcely, are well utilized throughout, always serving to advance the ideas formulating in a song. The bass is relatively high in the mix, lending immensely to a full sound. Also notable, is the drum work, quick fills and cymbal rides add a sense of imminence and an aura of war. The vocals, I felt were improved slightly over, Nachtfalke’s previous effort, Hail Victory Teutonia, taking on a darker, more shrill cast that perfectly suits the music. Together, the various aesthetic elements form a cohesive whole and effectively realize the dominant, epic pagan ideology.

The album begins with the sounds of battle and a demonic invocation on Valhall, moving into a swift marching verse and swirling chorus. Next is Pestkrieg, my personal favorite track, surging forth with a riff torn straight out of War Funeral March. It continues onward with a pummeling cymbal ride and imagery steeped in Viking lore. Following this, is a splendid cover of Bathory’s ‘Home of Once Brave’, at worst perhaps not fully capturing Quorthon’s original vocal storm. Fallen Heroes is a straight ahead crushing onslaught, while Einherjer (Doomed to Die) employs sifting sound, ethereal progression and a subtly echoing chorus.

This album is, simply said, one of the best releases of this year a veritable artistic monolith.

Worship or die!