Review by Krys on November 1, 2001.

Naglfar doesn’t belong to the group of bands that spoils its fans with a new release every year or so. After their 1995 debut “Vittra” we waited almost 3 years for “Diabolical” and now, after another 3 year dry-spell, instead of a full-length “Sheol” we get a MCD compilation of old re-mastered tracks, a cover and only one new song. One new song?! To wait 3 years for a new full-length album is long enough but to get one track instead is just low, miserable and pathetic.

Yes, I’m angry. I was really looking forward to the Neglfar development as one of the most promising bands on the black metal scene and I still am, but releasing low-cost, low-effort CDs won’t bring them a cult status in metal circles.

But my feeling aside, let’s talk about the music. Starting with the first song, if the one and only new track on “Ex Inferis”, ‘Of Gorgons Spawned through Witchcraft’, is any kind of indication of what to expect from “Sheol”, then prepare yourself for aggressive Norwegian black metal. Great guitar riffs, high shrieks of Jens Ryden, unmerciful drums and slower melodic passages really increased my cravings for the new release.

The Massacre cover, ‘Dawn of Eternity’, only affirmed my high expectations regarding this band, absolutely beautiful. And here we can stop.

‘Emerging from Her Weepings’ is a re-recording of the “Vittra” track and other than boosted production this track musically sounds worse than the original. How could you drop the acoustic beginning? The last two tracks come from “Diabolical” and even though I really love them, especially 'The Brimstone Gate', which I can listen to constantly, I don’t understand the idea behind including them on this album.

Bottom Line: Overall “Ex Inferis” represents 27 minutes of very good material but only if you hear it for the first time. Other than one more CD for a diehard fan collection I don’t see any real value in this release.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Review by JD on September 10, 2012.

Sweden black metallists Naglfar’s name derived from a story right out of Norse mythology and is the name of a ship made entirely of dead men's fingernails which transports the giants with the Forces of Chaos across the bubbling chaotic sea to the battle of Ragnarök. The table is set for the metallic repast... on to the review.

With angry blast beats a plenty from the drums accented by a thick wall of thundering guitars leading the troops from hades, Naglfar sets the table for a twenty course meal of the dark arts. With this tinging of melody to brace the listener for the howling hoards that make up this BM act - headbangers are in for a treat.

You cannot go wrong with such devilish tracks such as the hell deepening 'Bring Out Your Dead' not to mention the grand explosion of the darkened force that is 'The Dying Flame Of Existence. Both tracks are well made, not to mention invokes the power of Hades itself onto our petty little planet. These are just two of nine songs, the others hold the same power, adding to the albums energy.

Naglfar seem to have found the perfect balance point between the blast beat power that is modern BM and the old school Black Metal with its thrashy yet melodic sides and we all are winners of it. This not so subtle band has made its name with amazing albums, this is their serpent crown... and I feel it will just get better.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Originality: 9
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.2 out of 10