(We present Daniel Barkasi’s review of a new album from the Swedish black metal band Ofermod, which was released on October 3rd by Shadow Records.)
Good old-fashioned, second wave, ritualistic, riff-centric black metal is a distinct sort of flavor profile that admittedly has been done many times; a particular sound that represents a sort of comfort zone to these ears. Those who purvey that sound were my gateway into a much larger and diverse universe of black metal, and when that feeling is captured and executed precisely, we’re all in. Enter Ofermod, the vehicle of the enigmatic Belfagor, who has cycled through a fair number of members throughout the years – especially vocalists. Through it all, however, the style has stayed remarkably consistent; a testament to Belfagor’s focused vision.
Albums such as Sol Nox and Mysterium Iniquitatis serve as the best examples of what Ofermod have to offer up to now, both being albums that are recalled when seeking this archetype of black metal. Now we have Drakosophia, with a new vocalist in tow in Adeptus (who is now a former member – more on that later), and the resultant is familiar and wholly satisfying.
A flurry of riffs smack one into quick attention on opener “Aicha Kandisha” to establish what’s to be expected throughout the album’s nearly 45-minute runtime. Adeptus fits Ofermod’s ethos snugly, providing a raspy groan that slots in like a perfectly cut puzzle piece. His voicings are organic and affirming, keeping the level of authenticity to a high water mark to go along with Belfagor’s dialed-in songwriting.
“Vineyards of Gomorrah” ensures the steady, shredding pace pulsates forward, highlighted by cutting lead guitars that slice through the mix, but wisely don’t overpower the impressive drum work by session drummer Florian Musil, an experienced skinsman (Theotoxin, The Negative Bias, Agrypnie) whose versatility and creative drum patterns bring a lot to the table on Drakosophia. To be fair, this is the best low end that Ofermod have had to date, further aiding the concentrated power of the stringed instrumentation. We can only hope he returns in the future.
A ritualistic feel is expected with a project that falls into the orthodox black metal category, and not only are Belfagor’s beliefs framed in the project’s approach absolutely, the intricacy of his compositions benefit from his credibility. Offerings such as “Malat Atat” and “Zazas Zazas Nasatanada Zazas” contain moments of hypnotic chanting that not only add integral dynamism, but also a mysterious, mesmeric element that’s carefully woven into the sharp guitar-forward instrumental approach Ofermod employ. The resultant bestows indelible, affirming cuts upon the listener, such as “Belialistic Gra’al Codex” and “Sinister Acolyte” – both administering a significant crunch to the proceedings, while never veering off the trajectory — smooth, winding, and tremolo-filled, furthered by an air of defiance and abrasiveness.
A certain cohesiveness decisively benefits Drakosophia, emitting a steady flow, never becoming jerky or disjointed. It’s evident that Belfagor has been working hard at his craftsmanship when constructing these songs, and said application pays off. Cultivated here is a rousing second-wave stylization of black metal that pulls no punches and captures that elusive original early ’90s spirit that separates the pretenders from the true purveyors. Also adding to the uniformity of the soundscape is producer Devo Anderson, who has worked on a sizable chunk of Ofermod’s discography in this capacity, and it’s plain to any ear that he simply knows exactly how black metal of this ilk needs to sound.
Sadly, on November 11, it was announced that vocalist Adeptus had departed, with Nebiros re-joining, who was last heard on 2021’s Mysterium Iniquitatis. That consistency we’ve been speaking of is difficult to maintain with a changing cast, though Nebrios has proven his mettle many times over, so there is zero worry that the ship will deviate from its established and successful course.
If a classic flavor of black metal satiates your palate, Ofermod has spawned what you crave and enjoys showing off the fruits of their labor, almost making the difficult sound easy, when capturing this level of legitimacy in sound and concept is most assuredly not. Drakosophia provides a heavy punch, clever songwriting, and enough riffage to appeal to even the most discerning of black metal purists. Light a few candles for ambience and fill the room with black metal of an unabashed, cunning, and sardonic form, as Drakosophia will whisk you away into the bleak darkness.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OfermodOfficial
Bandcamp: https://regainrecords.bandcamp.com/album/drakosophia