Nigrum - Blood Worship Extremism LP

From the mists of the central Mexican highlands and the pyramid temples of Quetzalcoatl that lie there came a turbid and sinuous path that took shape in the form of black metal later relocating to Sweden where still, deeper and darker energies lurked within, and so it comes to pass that Nigrum now unveil 'Blood Worship Extremism'. Aptly titled, it takes nearly every element of its full-length predecessor and intensifies to an uncomfortable degree. Nigrum's attack is still clear and cutting in its cunning, but those hideous energies that always threaten to bubble over into hysteria are given free(r) reign. On the surface, 'Blood Worship Extremism' almost seems regressive by comparison. For one, the recording is rougher and rawer, exuding an authentically vintage sound circa 1998 demo tapes; lurk longer, and one will find that this soundfield ably benefits the band's skills, as each instrument (the bass GUITAR, in particular) dazzles with devilish flourish. The songwriting, in kind, goes directly for the throat - immediately, unflinchingly - and at times overwhelms with its lack of decorum; lurk longer still, and that one will witness wholly organic atmospheric touches that waft upwards / downwards from Nigrum's cauldron without sacrificing any of that searing intensity. Even with all that intensity, cobwebbed melody continues to play a crucial part on their compass, which points to both North and South: no trendiness in either direction.