Review by Alex Grindor on July 14, 2021.

Krypt, a band formed after Tsjuder's split-up, released this two-track EP a year after its formation. Now, if you have heard Tsjuder, you may be thinking that this EP is the same as Tsjuder's releases, but no. This is completely different to that band, Nag and Desecrator really wanted to do something different, and they scored!

First track, 'I Am God', starts with Nag saying "I Am... God!" and then the song starts, a really catchy rhythm, until the low part comes, when Nag says, "I Am Death, I'm Unholy, I Am Blasphemy, I Am God!", and we come back to the same rhythm that was in the beginning of the song. This song is really repetitive in rhythm (as many black metal songs) but still, is really good.

Second track, 'Jeg Hater Deg' (Norwegian for 'I Hate You' is the best, a song completely spoken in Norwegian, with an initial double scream that comes along with the fast guitars and drums, it repeats for quite a long time, until Nag screams, then the song goes a little slow, with some notes played by the guitars in a keyboard style, after some seconds the song goes even slower, and Nag sings "Jeg Hater Deg, Dra til helvete, Jeg Hater Deg, Parasitt, dø!" then the song starts like in the beginning again. The end of this song is composed of a church bell ringing and Nag screaming in Norwegian.

Although this band consists of members of Tsjuder, and the sound is clearly like that band, it doesn't mean that this is "Tsjuder II", in fact it doesn't sound like Tsjuder (at all). Besides, if you already heard the album Preludes To Death, I suggest (in case you haven't) that you hear this as well, since these tracks are really different (mainly vocally) that the ones in the album.

Despite the fact that is really repetitive, this EP is really good, if you liked Nargaroth's "Black Metal Ist Krieg", you would enjoy this as I did.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Alex Grindor on July 14, 2021.

Krypt, a band formed after Tsjuder's split-up, released this two-track EP a year after its formation. Now, if you have heard Tsjuder, you may be thinking that this EP is the same as Tsjuder's releases, but no. This is completely different to that band, Nag and Desecrator really wanted to do something different, and they scored!

First track, 'I Am God', starts with Nag saying "I Am... God!" and then the song starts, a really catchy rhythm, until the low part comes, when Nag says, "I Am Death, I'm Unholy, I Am Blasphemy, I Am God!", and we come back to the same rhythm that was in the beginning of the song. This song is really repetitive in rhythm (as many black metal songs) but still, is really good.

Second track, 'Jeg Hater Deg' (Norwegian for 'I Hate You' is the best, a song completely spoken in Norwegian, with an initial double scream that comes along with the fast guitars and drums, it repeats for quite a long time, until Nag screams, then the song goes a little slow, with some notes played by the guitars in a keyboard style, after some seconds the song goes even slower, and Nag sings "Jeg Hater Deg, Dra til helvete, Jeg Hater Deg, Parasitt, dø!" then the song starts like in the beginning again. The end of this song is composed of a church bell ringing and Nag screaming in Norwegian.

Although this band consists of members of Tsjuder, and the sound is clearly like that band, it doesn't mean that this is "Tsjuder II", in fact it doesn't sound like Tsjuder (at all). Besides, if you already heard the album Preludes To Death, I suggest (in case you haven't) that you hear this as well, since these tracks are really different (mainly vocally) that the ones in the album.

Despite the fact that is really repetitive, this EP is really good, if you liked Nargaroth's "Black Metal Ist Krieg", you would enjoy this as I did.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Alex Grindor on July 14, 2021.

Krypt, a band formed after Tsjuder's split-up, released this two-track EP a year after its formation. Now, if you have heard Tsjuder, you may be thinking that this EP is the same as Tsjuder's releases, but no. This is completely different to that band, Nag and Desecrator really wanted to do something different, and they scored!

First track, 'I Am God', starts with Nag saying "I Am... God!" and then the song starts, a really catchy rhythm, until the low part comes, when Nag says, "I Am Death, I'm Unholy, I Am Blasphemy, I Am God!", and we come back to the same rhythm that was in the beginning of the song. This song is really repetitive in rhythm (as many black metal songs) but still, is really good.

Second track, 'Jeg Hater Deg' (Norwegian for 'I Hate You' is the best, a song completely spoken in Norwegian, with an initial double scream that comes along with the fast guitars and drums, it repeats for quite a long time, until Nag screams, then the song goes a little slow, with some notes played by the guitars in a keyboard style, after some seconds the song goes even slower, and Nag sings "Jeg Hater Deg, Dra til helvete, Jeg Hater Deg, Parasitt, dø!" then the song starts like in the beginning again. The end of this song is composed of a church bell ringing and Nag screaming in Norwegian.

Although this band consists of members of Tsjuder, and the sound is clearly like that band, it doesn't mean that this is "Tsjuder II", in fact it doesn't sound like Tsjuder (at all). Besides, if you already heard the album Preludes To Death, I suggest (in case you haven't) that you hear this as well, since these tracks are really different (mainly vocally) that the ones in the album.

Despite the fact that is really repetitive, this EP is really good, if you liked Nargaroth's "Black Metal Ist Krieg", you would enjoy this as I did.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Krys on July 3, 2002.

Since their last album, “Afterlife”, Nocturnal Rites seem to be kicking their career into a higher gear. The addition of vocalist Jonny Lindqvist, improved lyrics, a heavier sound and flowing harmonious arrangements made this Swedish sextet one of the best power metal bands to come out of this musically inclined country. The very successful predecessor only increased my cravings for “Shadowland” and what can I say? After two years of anticipation I have only two words: it rocks.

My high hopes were answered with first strokes of the guitars. Thundering power metal with catchy melodies, tuneful choruses, short but tasteful solos and outstanding vocals are everything any heavy metal fan can ask for. But Nocturnal Rites doesn’t stop here, with heavy guitar sound and more overall American power (read: Nevermore-like ass-kicking) they blast through the speakers with so much energy that hundreds of ‘Helloween clones’ can only dream of. The opening energy burst in ‘Eyes Of The Dead’ and ‘Shadowland’ are a great example of what’s to come, with the title track simply being a killer. (Side note: My cohort just asked me ‘Have I been listening to this same track for the last two hours?’) Since most of you know my ‘problems’ with repetitive listenings, it might not serve its purpose but at least it shows how addictive this stuff is. Compact, heavy riffs accompanied by a galloping rhythm section, just perfect dose of keyboards and great vocal lines make “Shadowland” one of the most intelligent and captivating releases in its genre. Even mid tempo tracks like ‘Invincible’ or ‘Underworld’ keep the listener captivated despite being slightly less entertaining than typical Nocturnal Rites up tempo tracks.

Thanks to a great production by Daniel Bergstrand (Meshuggah, Strapping Young Lad, Darkane) at Dug-Out Studio the sound of Nocturnal Rites has matured substantially. Dense and clear guitars and heavy overall sound creates one of the most intense and energetic albums in its genre, which is something I think is lacking in most of today’s power metal bands. The biggest shortcoming of “Shadowland” is originality, but great musical ideas, freshness and a simple joy of playing will make that issue mute.

Bottom Line: Those guys are due for a breakthrough and if “Shadowland” won’t do it I don’t know what will. Everything you can ask from a power/heavy metal band is here and then some. In two word sentences: Great album. It rocks. Buy it.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 10
Originality: 7
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.6 out of 10