Hammer of Hate, 2012
Genre: Black Metal
1. Blinding Fog
2. Path of the White Wolves
3. Reaching to the Stars
4. Mieleni Mustissa Merissä
5. Kosmisen Usvan Ympäröimänä
6. Mustan Auringon Riitti
7. Kaksitoista Askelta Luvattuun Valtakuntaan
Finally, we have reached Nattfog's debut full-length. I'm rather surprised this is on the heals of their split with Nekrokrist SS, but it seems the band may have been more productive in writing new material since 2008 than I previously thought, given the fact all of this was recorded in 2010.
The music on "Mustan Auringon Riitti" is a bit slower and more contemplative than the prior Nattfog material. The earlier material feels harsher and more hateful. Even though the production quality on these tracks is a bit better and more clear, Nattfog still maintains that gritty harsh feel to their overall sound. Sure, some of the earlier style shines through every now and again, but their slower, more melancholic approach really dominates the entirety of this release. I really enjoyed both sides of the project for different reasons. I sort of hope that they play around with blending the styles for future efforts, because that would sound rather interesting in its own regard. As it is, I imagine fans of their previous work will continue to enjoy this approach to their sound.
This is a very strong debut and brings us something a little different from previous efforts. I wouldn't say they're re-inventing anything, but Nattfog does an excellent job crafting this style of music, so I can't imagine fans will find it particularly disappointing.
Primitive Reaction, 2011
Genre: Black Metal
Nattfog:
1. Yöni Usvassa
2. Ancestral Echoes
3. Under the Cross of Woden
Nekrokrist SS:
4. Path of Depression
5. Gas Chambers, Crematory and Hell
6. Talviyössä
Nekrokrist SS: here
Nattfog:
It's been a few years since we've heard from the realms of Nattfog and I'm kind of surprised to see them resurface with only three songs on a split. Over that time frame, I figured more music would come, but that's fine, because we get a split with Nekrorkist SS, which is another excellent band out of Finland. This split is limited to 500 copies and pressed on 12" vinyl. It comes with a lyric sheet insert as well.
If you found yourself enamored with the demo material, then you'll be pleased to hear that little has changed in the way Nattfog approach their music. This is easily a continuation of the style we were first exposed to. The opening song is a mid-paced catchy and melodic piece, which is exactly what I wanted to hear out of Nattfog. The second track, "Ancestral Echoes" speeds things up a bit and we are driven by the standard Black Metal blast beat, but not at a blisteringly fast pace. This song, over it's eight minutes, manages to form into a piece with some extremely passionate and wonderful closing rhythms. We finally close with the slow, yet hateful, "Under the Cross of Woden", which serves as a wonderful closer. These three tracks make it even worse that this isn't a full-length. Nattfog is definitely ready for it with their sound and writing style. Hopefully, that's coming in the near future.
Wolfsvuur Records, 2008
Genre: Black Metal
1. Diabolical Winds
2. At the Shadows of the Fallen Walls
3. Everlasting Fields
The first rumblings of Nattfog were ushered in in 2008. The original format was in a CD-R form coming from the band, but the music was so strong that a few months later it was pressed officially on tape. There have been two pressings of this tape with pro-printed cover so far, both pressings limited to 150 hand-numbered copies. I own a 2nd press and have #106. This just goes to show the strength of Nattfog's first work upon entering the Black Metal scene.
If you've been enamored with the Finnish Black Metal sound along the lines of Horna and other harsher compatriots then Nattfog is exactly something you will enjoy. The Nattfog demo is harsh, catchy and has some really wonderful melodies strewn throughout. Nattfog is like a more well tempered Horna, meaning they don't assault us with blasting fierceness, instead Nattfog has a bit more of a melancholic bent a la the Horna's slower renditions. A band performing an entire demo of this style is actually really awesome.
If the above description is, at all, appealing then you know Nattfog is off to a rather strong start. I can't wait to see how this project evolves in the future. Definitely a project to be watching...
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