Tsjuder – Helvegr

Norwegian black metal veterans Tsjuder return from the frozen north with their seventh studio album, “Helvegr.” This offering delivers a blistering assault of raw aggression, icy riffs, and frontman Nag’s signature shrieking vocals. Let’s delve into this sonic blizzard, track by track, and see if “Helvegr” upholds Tsjuder’s legacy of sonic brutality or loses its bite in the harsh winds of time.

A Nostalgic Trip Through Black Metal’s Frozen Landscape:

• Iron Beast (3:22): The album explodes with a primal fury. Blast beats erupt, tremolo-picked guitars paint a bleak sonic landscape, and Nag’s vocals are a caustic rasp, barking out pronouncements of violence and hatred. “Iron Beast” throws the listener headfirst into Tsjuder’s world of unrelenting aggression, a reminder of the genre’s raw power.
• Prestehammeren (4:15): A touch of melody emerges amidst the chaos. The song features a memorable guitar riff that burrows into the listener’s brain. Nag’s vocals remain ferocious, but a hint of catchiness sneaks into his delivery. The lyrics, though delivered in Norwegian and shrouded in obscurity, hint at anti-religious themes, a common thread in black metal.
• Helvegr (5:02): The album’s title track offers a change of pace. The tempo slows down, allowing space for a chilling atmosphere to build. Distortion and reverb are used effectively to create a sense of desolation and dread. Nag’s vocals take on a more spoken word quality, adding to the track’s unsettling mood. This mid-album interlude serves as a brief moment of chilling contemplation before the storm resumes.
• Faenskap og Død (3:58): The album explodes back into a furious assault. Blistering tempos, chaotic guitar work, and Nag’s unhinged shrieks create a sense of sonic warfare. The song is a masterclass in black metal fury, a testament to Tsjuder’s ability to conjure sonic nightmares through sheer aggression.
• Kjelen (4:27): A return to a more mid-paced approach. The song features a prominent bass line and a chilling atmosphere. Nag’s vocals take on a more melancholic quality, adding a layer of emotional depth to the relentless onslaught. The lyrics likely explore themes of death and damnation, a staple of black metal ideology.
• Ormurin Lange (4:01): This track injects a shot of adrenaline. Fast tempos, blast beats, and a scorching guitar solo create a sense of manic energy. Nag’s vocals are at their most ferocious, perfectly capturing the song’s relentless intensity. The song is a blur of sonic violence, a testament to Tsjuder’s commitment to raw aggression.
• Blod paa Is (5:12): The album’s epic conclusion arrives. The song features a slow build-up, eventually erupting into a vortex of tremolo-picked guitars and blast beats. Nag delivers a varied vocal performance, shifting from shrieks to spoken word passages. The lyrics likely delve into the frigid landscapes of their native Norway, a recurring theme in black metal. The song fades out with a sense of desolate grandeur, leaving a lasting impression of sonic brutality.

Verdict: 4 out of 5

“Helvegr” is a potent reminder of Tsjuder’s enduring power. The album delivers a blistering assault of raw black metal fury, staying true to the genre’s core tenets. The songwriting, while adhering to the established formula of blast beats and tremolo picking, offers enough variation to keep the listener engaged. Nag’s vocals are a highlight, perfectly capturing the icy aggression and occasional moments of melancholic contemplation. The production is raw and lo-fi, perfectly complementing the album’s bleak atmosphere.

A minor point to consider: Listeners unfamiliar with black metal’s abrasive sounds might find “Helvegr” a bit too relentless and inaccessible. The reliance on traditional tropes might feel derivative to some black metal veterans. The lyrics delivered in Norwegian and the lack of thematic exploration beyond the genre’s established tropes might leave some listeners wanting more depth.

However, for fans of Norwegian black metal seeking a frigid and unrelenting sonic experience, “Helvegr” delivers the goods in spades. Tsjuder proves that sometimes, all you need is a potent blend of aggression, atmosphere, and a commitment to staying true to your roots. This album is a worthy addition to the genre’s canon and a must-listen for black metal devotees.