Tsjuder is back with their brand of uncompromising black metal, their 2^nd release since returning from a brief hiatus and they continue to keep the pace and to rise within the ranks of the black metal elite with this release. Tsjuder started out slowly for me, the 1st release I heard from them being Kill For Satan, I was pleased and considered them okay but nothing mind blowing. Step by step with each release they slowly clawed their way into my eardrums and with Desert Northern Hell, I was like “Holy Crap!” now we are talking! Needless to say I was a fan.

I was bummed when they announced that Tsjuder was being put on hold but when they decided to return and release Legion Helvete AND play the Maryland Deathfest in 2012 , I was on cloud nine. Legion Helvete did not disappoint and they simply blew me away live at the deathfest. So with eagerness I awaited this, their next release and I try for the most part not to let my own hype and eagerness cloud my judgment or to set expectations too high. Also, just to get this out of the way, the artist in me just loves the cover artwork, The color palette and imagery it suits the album perfectly.

With Antiliv, I feel they continue to maintain the ferocity and energy of prior releases, albeit scaled back a little and with this slight restraint if you will, they expand the sound a bit, so as not to be a pure blast fest. The album contains more mid-paced numbers that convey a different level of darkness and evil. “Kaos” kick off the album and you realize that this trio from Norway still got the fire within after all these years. Vocalist Nag spitting forth the lyrics with vitriol and guitarist Draugluin matching the ferocity.

Next song “Krater” shows a bit of the aforementioned different pacing, again listen to Draugluin’s guitar playing, showing restraint and feeling but then mid way through the song, it picks up pace. Just love the shouted title Krater!, Krater! such energy, this would be just amazing live. Drummer AntiChristian makes his mark here and listen for his moment within the song as well. To me the song “Djevelens Mesterverk” is the pinnacle of the CD, pure blackened thrashing speed at its finest. I feel this songs alone puts Tsjuder at level with Marduk, Dark Funeral, in it’s fierceness and attack. Listen to how the song varies in intensity something you cannot dismiss.

The album starts of really strong and fast but seems mid-way to taper off, containing more of the moodier, less intense songs. I hear brief moments of the 1^st wave of black metal in the guitar riffing, you really get a sense of the old school. In that frame of mind, the production is also slightly old school.(which is a good thing) It’s still modern but it just doesn’t have that big over produced sound that some albums from Dimmu Borgir for example tend to have. It has a harshness in the mix that suits them and their sound.

So another great submission from Tsjuder, who continue to vary their output without straying too far from their roots. So all fans of Marduk, Mayhem, Immortal, go grab this. I’ve seen the physical release online at Season of Mist webstore and the digipack comes with lots of extras. Time for a trip to the local record store for me.

 

 

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