Review: Blut Aus Nord’s Disharmonium — Nahab Is a Splendid Horror
Listeners finally have the ability to imbibe the sweet poison of Blut Aus Nord’s Disharmonium — Nahab. Available this Friday, August 25, Disharmonium — Nahab is a remarkably executed Lovecraft-inspired nightmare that black metal enthusiasts everywhere will enjoy.
Blut Aus Nord’s latest release is their follow up to both of the band’s 2022 releases, Disharmonium — Undreamable Abysses and their companion piece of sorts, Lovecraftian Echoes. It’s also the second part of the band’s Disharmonium cycle.
To those unfamiliar with the many manifestations of black metal, Disharmonium — Nahab is bound to come as a surprise. Although Vindsval has stated that he feels very far removed from today’s black metal scene, Blut Aus Nord aims to shatter your preconceptions about the genre. After all, Blut Aus Nord is a trio of self-dubbed “theoreticians of insane aestheticism.” That said, Disharmonium — Nahab is an excellent example of contemporary avant-garde black metal.
Disharmonium — Nahab is a dark yet gorgeous and enthralling, hallucinogenic journey. The experience proves dizzying, with its dense atmosphere and disturbing soundscape. Of course, the spirituality found within is important to Vindsval, which gives the record its sense of depth and richness. Indeed, Disharmonium — Nahab instantly wraps you in its cocoon-like embrace and imparts the sensation of falling straight into a void.
The vocals and echos can be low, vicious, and bestial or more on the ethereal side. At times, they are even chant-like. The instrumentation is highly pleasing all around, with Blut Aus Nord delivering beautiful melodies and unsettling grooves. The keys and electronics are incorporated nicely. And it’s all thanks to Vindsval’s bewitching songwriting that all of the compositions on this collection of 11 songs flow well into one another.
The ambient opening, “Hideous Dream Opus #1,” quickly transports you to an otherworldly realm until Vindsval’s growls kick in right away on the second song “Mental Paralysis.” Later on, the additional instrumentals “Hideous Dream Opus #2,” an oddly sweet yet eerie number, and “Hideous Dream Opus #3” serve as nice, dimly lit tunnels leading the way to longer tracks.
“The Endless Multitude,” the longest composition, is another aptly named track that sounds exactly as you might expect. Yes, at times, this song and other sections of the record may feel a bit tedious to some, but Blut Aus Nord does not strive to provide an ordinary sonic experience. Their work challenges and confounds listeners.
The album’s second single “Queen of the Dead Dimension” is one of Disharmonium — Nahab’s highlights, while the eighth track, titled “Nameless Rites,” really grabs you two minutes in and continues dazzling from there. This moment stands out as a definite highlight.
In all respects, Disharmonium — Nahab is a thoroughly professional offering. It doesn’t suffer from any weak spots. Fortunately, even the production is exceptional. Vindsval actually recorded and mixed the album himself at Earthsound Studio — you can tell that he achieved exactly what he desired. Mastering was handled by Bruno Varea at Upload Studio.
Although mass appeal clearly isn’t Blut Aus Nord’s aim, Disharmonium — Nahab should resonate with a broad range of listeners. It will be interesting to see what the next part of the Disharmonium cycle brings.
Blut Aus Nord’s Disharmonium — Nahab comes out on August 25 via Debemur Morti Productions. Pre-order your copy here.
