CoC : Nagelfar - Hunengrab im Herbst : Review

Nagelfar - _Hunengrab im Herbst_
(Kettenhund Records, 1997)
by: Pedro Azevedo (9 out of 10)

First of all, one thing should be taken out of the way: as far as I know, this is not Naglfar, the band that was reviewed in CoC #11. Nagelfar (notice the extra "e") is a very Norwegian-sounding German band; CoC #11's Naglfar sounds like Dissection, whereas this German Nagelfar only retains the technicality and speed of Dissection. Venomous fast sections with high quality drumming and very tight guitar playing merge with some slower passages into lengthy tracks (sometimes over 10 minutes long) of very emotional, fast, technical and somewhat melodic music. Melody is provided when necessary, but quite harsh sequences are also to be found, and an overall feeling of well-controlled harshness pervades the whole album. The vocals are varied as well, from Abigor-like screams to more standard black vocals and some clean chanting. There's occasional (and effective) use of keyboards, usually during the slower sections, whereas all the rest of the album (by far most of it) is guitar-based. However, the guitar work is of enough quality to guarantee that the need for melodic or atmospheric enhancement through the use of keyboards is hardly ever felt. Through an unpretentious, low-profile album cover and general attitude, Nagelfar make it clear that _Hunengrab im Herbst_ is an album which relies exclusively upon its musical qualities -- and it definitely has plenty.

(article published 10/3/1998)

ALBUMS
30/4/2003	P Azevedo	8.5	Nagelfar - Virus West
12/8/1999	D Rocher	8	Nagelfar - Srontgorrth