I often read about albums which are “uncompromising”. Here’s one that really is. Urgehal seem to have been around forever – their contribution to the world in general started in 1992 – and have been playing old school Norwegian Black Metal ever since. I have “Through Thick Fog till Death” in my collection. By comparison to that one, “Ikonoklast” is more clearly defined in sound terms. What is not lacking is the customary malignant and ugly atmosphere, causing infection like a vile disease. The band provide the explanation that their music is “based on the real past and the values of fundamental darkness, hate and misanthropy which Black Metal is based upon”. So the scene is set.

I realised when listening to “Ikonoklast” that unlike some albums I have listened to recently, I didn’t have to spend time trying to pick up and identify the good points. This album is meant to be a totally absorbing experience. Violence and nastiness dominate. It’s faster than Darkthrone, with whom clear comparison can be made. Statements are made which leave us in no doubt where we’re heading: “Devastation is the essence of life”. Of course the album would not be interesting if it were monotonous or repetitious. Old School Black Metal has a familiar ring, and as well as Darkthrone we are reminded of Burzum and Windir, but “Ikonoklast” provides proof that misanthropy can be presented and interpreted in different ways. The undercurrent of evil is constant, but each track has its own identity. Tracks such as “Horror in Utopia” reflect a mood of despair in the terrible discovery. The superb instrumental ending is polished and atmospheric, and deviates from what might be considered to be the Black Metal norm. The hate sermon and rawness of the opener “Stesolid Self-Destruction to Damnation” complements the more complex guitar virtuosity of “Dødelagt which arises from a sinister, echoey beginning. “Kniven Rider Dypt I Natt” is pure fury. My own favourite tracks are “Cut their Tongue Shut their Prayer” and “The Necessity of Total Genocide”. “Cut their Tongue Shut their Prayer” is a really well constructed, rousing and militaristic track in which we are swept along by the relentless darkness. “The Necessity of Total Genocide” follows. The start is creepy and death-like. It then cranks up to a volley of breakneck Black Metal and furious battery before developing into a violent maelstrom, evidently reflective of the subject matter in hand. It is a superb track and typical of the way in which the musical style reflects the lyrical themes of the tracks.

Black Metal is not to everyone’s taste, but “Ikonoklast” is for anyone who appreciates total intensity. In spite of being typically dark and misanthropic, I still found it uplifting. For this reason I have no hesitation in placing it high in the ranks of Norwegian Black Metal.

http://www.urgehal.com
http://www.myspace.com/urgehal666
http://www.season-of-mist.com

Andrew Doherty

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