It is refreshing to find a band not only with strong convictions but also with a strong thirst for knowledge and a vast foundation of knowledge already learned from which to draw. Belfagor is a true devotee and a student of all religions, realizing all are connected in some fashion. He borrows imagery as he sees fit from many different traditions and weaves them into his tapestry of death. For all those that try to dismiss black metal as juvenile or campy, I offer you Ofermod.

They claim to play orthodox death metal, because they want to distance themselves from the watered down drivel of mainstreamed black metal. I say instead call Ofermod what it is, true black metal, and call Dimmu Borgir and their ilk what they are, pompous gothic, and end the confusion. Those faithful were never confused anyhow. Rest assured, despite the shift from fast and furious to slow and vicious, with a bend toward technical proficiency, Ofermod has not devolved into a death metal project. Personally I have always maintained that black metal is defined by ideology more than musical direction so in fact a true black band could in fact sound like a death metal band in substance, and for that matter a death metal band truly devoted to the left hand path could rightly be called black. Musically the boundary is blurred, ideologically it is not. For those still unconvinced, just listen to the album once through, because “For the unworthy listener our album is a curse, as when working with the album I invoked various goetic demons, to which I offer the lazy listener as my sacrificial offering.” That is another aspect of Ofermod that sets them apart, Michayah knows of what he speaks and he performs the rituals.

Ofermod is for true fans of Marduk, Funeral Mist, Ondskapt, Deathspell Omega, as well as the foundation bands. Michayah is responsible for all instrumentation as well as composing the lyrics. Nebiros adds his distinctive voice, recited rather than screamed. The music is skillfully composed with memorable riffs and interesting guitar lines. The production strategically buries it. Listen carefully and you will be rewarded. I first checked out Ofermod years ago because of the Nefandus connection, Michayah is Belfagor, and I have yet to be disappointed. All glory to Tiamat! Hail! Norma Evangelium Diaboli has yet to release an album that was not worthy, this is not the first.

[Visit the band's website]

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