Dearest Terratur Possessions of Trondheim, Norway, you really have to stop releasing so many top-notch black metal albums. Your guarantee of quality makes my task as a reviewer slightly tedious. I therefore urge you to consider presenting something mediocre for once in order to re-establish an element of unpredictability. That said, upon opening Enevelde’s Pandemonium, even I was surprised by the seven sublime hymns found therein.
All True Black Metal Enthusiasts are already aware of the excellence of Brage Kråbøl, whose other bands include Misotheist and the family project Kråbøl, which was recognized by the fantastic folks at Loudwire as one of the genre’s best supergroups. In addition, the BM community eagerly awaits the debut from insanely promising Diabolus, Mecum Semperterne!, which features Manes’ unsurpassed Tor-Helge Skei, the annoyingly talented Eskil Blix of Mare, and K.R of Whoredom Rife alongside Herr Kråbøl.
But could anything have prepared us for the ravenous flames of brilliance burning throughout the entirety of Enevelde’s third full-length milestone, Pandemonium?! Verily, Pandemonium arguably represents Brage’s most brutal effort yet. Pandemonium was first released on cassette in February 2024, and its utterly wild yet ridiculously powerful title track appeared two months later on the most outstanding TERRATUR COMPENDIUM MMXXIV. Finally, Pandemonium’s broader release is upon us.
What on this wretched earth does one say about an album as perfect as Pandemonium?! As always, Brage assaults us with fire-breathing, flesh-tearing vocals. His mere voice could cause all of the dead in Norway to simultaneously roll in their graves. In addition to his distinctive explosive growls, Brage incorporates hellraising declamatory utterances, utterly tortured yelps and howls, etc. The cacophony on “Gapende Grav” after the beautiful long and suspenseful opening, which crackles with atmospheric touches that reoccur elsewhere on the album, is but one example of his versatility. Some very special dementedness is woven into the laudably odd intro of “Rasende Flammer,” which ultimately ends with a spectral outro. At times, the vocals are layered in the mix, and that certainly amplifies the enormity of the sound. Speaking of which, the production is just right.
It is a wonder how Brage handles guitars, bass, drums, and synths so masterfully. His riffs, melodies, and supremacy as a drummer (In fact, he is the son of one of Norway’s best skins-pounders.) could make the vast majority of his peers hang their heads low in shame. The compositions are flawlessly constructed. They deliver pure momentum without any weak spots. At the same time, Brage artfully works in just the right amount of variety with sections that allow us to breathe and reflect while still swept away on this journey that so thoroughly covers our lungs with black smoke. Pandemonium bursts with an epic quality that seems even too large to be contained within Nidarosdomen. Brage is an admirer of classical music, and, in my view, that is discernible on Pandemonium as well. Despite being thoroughly Norwegian, the music also sometimes has an exotic allure, adding to the already impossibly evil vibes.
I really don’t want to say this (because I would prefer to operate under the delusion that black metal is dead just like Nietzsche’s God due to the murderous hands of the faithless populace), but perhaps Pandemonium is some of the finest black metal I’ve heard. Brage’s work has been described as egoless. You might have seen and even been fortunate enough to purchase Misotheist sneakers, for instance, but you will not see the all too humble band members claiming any spotlight. Thus, for better or for worse, Enevelde’s name might not be that well-known outside of the black metal community right now. However, hopefully, one day, more mainstream listeners will learn to put down their Dark Funeral records and pick Enevelde up instead.
(Order Enevelde’s Pandemonium here, and leave your words of praise for Mr. Kråbøl and possible troll comments about other matters for Terratur Possessions here.)
