Review by Felix on January 17, 2024.

Ladies and gentlemen, fasten seat belts, we’re taking off. The space warriors Armory invite us to another adventurous flight. Okay, sometimes speed metal is a slightly dubious pleasure due to nerve-shattering lead vocalist who love high-pitched screams that can make sensitive creatures cry immediately. Aggravating the situation, the guitar lines sound quite happy from time to time. Dudes, if I want to have fun I am going to the cinema. Metal is a serious matter, at least in my homeland where laughing is more or less forbidden.

But Armory are nearly immune against the ugly components of their subgenre. The excellent artork of Mercurion does not promise too much dynamic. The Swedes always keep a close eye on the energetic appearance of their songs. A few strange sounds are not forbidden (in the middle of the powerful 'Deep Space Encounter'), but usually the band walks on the tradional paths of speed metal and traditional metal in general. The songs are not difficult to decode. Nevertheless, they are no musical fast food. Armory dish up a solid number of riffs per song and these riffs, as well as the leads and lines, show a cool understanding of the metallic arts. Accompanied by the somewhat boyish yet passionate vocals, the guitars guarantee a dense, coherent and intensive scenario. Despite some melodic parts, for example at the almost solemn beginning of 'Wormhole Escape', the quintet never neglects the necessary heaviness. And who has said that melodies or solemnity are a bad thing?

The production does not lack robustness and resilience. But the galactic dimension are obviously not totally free from dirty particles. Therefore tranparency is not written in big letters here. However, the marginally blurred appearance of the sound does not prevent a significant impact of the material. And so the guys celebrate some really cool moments with some vibrant riffs. Of course, they do not put new aspects to the subgenre, but a dreamy passage in 'Music From The Spheres' almost builds a bridge to the seventies and some of the slower parts tend towards power metal. Yes, my dear friends who like classic combos like Liege Lord or Savage Grace, this album can be very interesting for you. Okay, the two long tracks at its end are no masterpieces of compactness and the short instrumental 'Transneptunic Flight' does not add a lot to the intensity of the output. But it is also true that every song of the album does not only shine with substance and ambition, but also with power and atmosphere. The latter is not exclusively, but also created by some keyboard sounds, nevertheless it is beyond doubt that the guitars have the dominating part here.

What is left to say? I like the fact that the muscular opener kicks off the album without warm-up period, I appreciate that the band is aware of the importance of some catchy lines from time to time and I enjoy the old school feeling that the material transports. Maybe this is not the soundtrack for my final “Journey to Infinity” (I prefer “Whisky Funeral”, Darkthrone), but Armory send a really strong 'Message From The Stars'. The eighties are long gone, but their spirit seems to be still alive. The spaceship of the Swedes flies through a classic cosmos and I am happy that I was able to sneak on board as a blind passenger.

Rating: 7.7 out of 10

Review by Jeger on December 1, 2025.

In 2014, the Forests awakened and glimmered with the dew of promise: a new kind of recognition and a more vital form of protection through the majesty of true Russian Atmospheric Black Metal as conveyed to the masses by real sons of the Woodland and keepers of her sanctity, Grima. This had been done before but not on this plane. Not on this fantastical level or with such authoritative passion as what we have here. To explore the Forests in all of their Seasons and under every one of their spells: frosty Winter's bounty, the deathly yet wholesome grip of Autumn and into the sacred night. The Gods forlorn have too awakened, though we cannot see or hear them for the pollution of our own destructive existence. The days of mystification and wonderment over the natural world are gone! And so the Gods weep.

Grima boasts quite the stunning discography. Every one of their records is packaged in gorgeous cover art and their lead tracks' accompanying visualizers are equally alluring. But it's in the music where the real magick happens. Atmospheric Black Metal on an elite level: the apex of artistry and the gestalt of passion's fruit. In February of this year, unbeknownst to me, Grima released their latest opus, "Nightside", via Napalm Records.

The end of the beloved Naturmacht Productions era of Grima is here, but also is the aforementioned "Nightside" - a magisterial piece that celebrates the Natural world under the night's blessed invasion. A time when great spirits listen and speak. A time for the most powerful magick. A time for reverence. To conceptualize the night is nothing new or even interesting anymore, unless it's done with a real understanding of or a genuine appreciation for such a sacred time. For me, the night is spent in solitary, is dedicated to my art and is spent in the company of Satan. "Nightside" could not be a more fitting soundtrack on this eve when sleep's call is but a whisper. "Beyond The Dark Horizon" sees us off into the darkest recesses of Grima's creative underworld where we'll take in a more sinister ambiance when compared to their typical output. Even the Bayan rings in more ominous tones, but of course the beauty is there and also urgency. Easing not into the experience, instead, right away, we're faced with the darkest track to open the record. The following track, "Flight Of The Silver Storm", following a rather bleak intro of its own, quickly shifts into lighter form, as the divine sound of tremolos flutter into the atmosphere, all the while as Godlike rhythms and the rustic sound of the Bayan drive it all forward.

Have you ever experienced that feeling of connection with your surroundings that only happens when all the people are asleep and the world feels as if it's yours? No cars on the road and no other forms of sound or visual overstimulation. Sacred, remember? "Nightside" delivers that feeling in spades like a toasty bonfire or perhaps a ritual to draw forth the magick of the night. The folkish elements of Grima's sound are a bit further beneath the surface here and that's not a bad thing. I welcome it, actually. Grima is so talented when it comes to writing truly gripping BM. The atmospheric stuff is just gravy and the heaviness of "Nightside" also casts Grima's music in a different light. This band is not boring and that is for sure. "Impending Death Premonition" only solidifies that notion with its epic compositions that unfold to varying tempos and differing degrees of complexity.

Grima has never been about raw production and for that I am thankful. Their music deserves clarity and richness. To engineer an album like "Nightside" to sound raw would be sacrilegious. Herein you'll discover Black Metal of the world-class sort: crisp, saturated and vibrant, especially now that Grima are backed by a label like Napalm. "The Nightside" - a brilliant epic. What a way to show off your skills! On more than one occasion during this track does Grima flash their finest steel. Every Grima album is unique in its own right, and "Nightside" obliges. Where their other albums may come off as whimsical, this one holds true to the dark. Another brilliant addition to such a coveted catalogue. Discover enchantment! Discover the night, discover Grima… Hails!

Rating: 9 out of 10