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| #FOR FANS OF: Avantgarde Black |
Slagmaur is a very particular project. Founded initially as a solo project in Norway almost 30 years ago by the musician known as General Gribbsphiiser, Slagmaur has always tried to create its own sound by combining the core fundamentals of black metal with a lugubrious and avant-garde approach. Its debut full-length, 'Skrekk Lich Kunstler,' forged the distinctive elements of the project’s sound, while the sophomore effort, 'Von Rov Shelter,' delved deeper into the ritualistic and heavy approach that has defined the project since then. Lyrically, the solo project, which later became a three-piece band, has tried to escape from the most stereotypical lyrics, focusing on horror, ritual, and deep psychological concepts that have obviously influenced the music itself.
After the aforementioned albums, Slagmaur has taken its time to release a new opus, which has seen the light of day this year. 'Hulder Ritual' is the name of the new beast and has included the participation of the legendary Snorre of Thorns as an additional producer of the album and as a contributor of some guitar lines. Those who have been aware of the album's release may know that the project reported the false disappearance of both musicians in the forest as part of a bizarre promotion for the new album, which is both ridiculous and the most black metal thing you can ever imagine.
Musically, 'Hulder Ritual' is exactly what we could expect from this Norwegian trio, as it displays a wide range of elements deriving both from the essential core of the genre and from the avant‑garde. The production, for example, is remarkably raw and reminds us of how many albums sounded back in the ’90s. The harsh and murky tone of the tremolo‑style riffs is truly loyal to the genre’s most authentic foundations. The guitar lines are a pleasure for those who have always enjoyed the distinctive melodies of black metal, and Slagmaur has, of course, not forgotten how to create plenty of them. Pace‑wise, the band focuses much more on mid‑tempo sections that fit better with their ritualistic and macabre sound, although there is room for some speed, as happens in "Huldergeist", for instance. While the basis strongly recalls the genre’s origins, it is the arrangements and specific details of each composition that contribute to forging a more original, adventurous, and distinctive style. "Hexen Herjer" combines raw riffs with a hypnotic piano and phantasmagoric voices, creating the aforementioned ritualistic atmosphere. The vocals also have a peculiar and dramatic touch. All these elements together create a rather theatrical black metal song that perfectly defines what Slagmaur aims to offer to the listener. Although the initial tracks may create the impression that the main vocals follow a more traditional approach, as the album progresses it becomes quite clear that "Aatselgribb" delivers a rich palette of voices that fit perfectly with the band’s tenebrous and mysterious vision. The album closer, "Rathkings," is another highlight of this opus. This composition opens with a ferocious section where blasting drums and aggressive guitars take the lead, while the second part delves deeper into Slagmaur’s hypnotic and dramatic style, including some tiny but perfectly placed arrangements that reinforce this haunting atmosphere.
'Hulder Ritual' by the Norwegian band Slagmaur is indeed an interesting record. The well‑structured combination of raw and traditional elements with more adventurous ones creates an album that delivers the best of both worlds and can attract fans from both sides. The ritualistic ambience established here is also a defining element, contributing to forging a sound that makes Slagmaur a truly original band. (Alain González Artola)
(Prophecy Productions - 2026)
Score: 81