To put a nid on someone is to curse them. One famous account is that of Egil Skallagrimsson who erected a nidstang against King Eirik Bloodaxe who had made Egil an outlaw. After killing a large number of the king’s men Egil placed a hazelwood pole in the ground and on the top of the pole he stuck a cut off horse’s head, aimed towards land. On the pole he carves sacred runes, with a curse upon King Eirik. He spoke thus: “Here I place this nidstang (curse-pole), and turneth it against King Eirik and Queen Gunnhild – turneth I this against all the gnomes and little people of the land, that they may all be lost, not finding their homes, until they drive King Eirik and Queen Gunnhild out of the country.” Needless to say this is powerful magic and I don’t wish to have one erected against me, so I will be calling The Mark Of Death the debut album of the year.

Since it would be hard for the band to round up all of you that do not buy the album out of fear of reprisals I might as well give you enticement for supporting the band on my behalf, since I am easier to find and curse. Nidsang play Swedish styled black metal in the same vein as Setherial, whom they have toured with, Dark Funeral, Marduk, Funeral Mist, etc. They also happen to be Swedish. They formed late 2004 and this is their debut album. Fast, raw and intense, this music is as subtle as a blowtorch to the face. This is full speed in all directions at once chaotic noise fueled by pure viciousness. Of course it is satanic anti Christian, violently so. This is pummeling that purple-haired kid in the pit music, adrenal glands working overtime.

You will hear lots of familiar riffs but so what, 99% of riffs are stolen from Slayer anyhow, just ask them. When Nidsang calms down for some atmosphere you take notice but it is still buzzing and cold, pent up rage waiting for the next psychotic break. With this band it is not so much what they do that is appealing, it is what they do not do, and what they choose to do they do right. There is never a lull for you to catch your breath or a moment for introspective deliberation on life’s major philosophical issues, but neither is it Panzer Division. This band is recommended for all those that prefer to shave their five o’clock shadow with a chainsaw. Recommended songs are “Filling The Chambers,” “Atra Mors,” and “Glorious Destruction.”

[Visit the band's website]

---

Comments