This uncanny entity from Norway is back with their third studio album, one of the finest 32 minutes of idiosyncratic Black Metal insanity you will come across in a long time.

Formed in 2003 by vocalist and guitarist Aldrahn, one of Norwegian Black Metal’s foremost legends, especially infamous for his inimitable vocals on landmark albums by Thorns, Dødheimsgard, and Zyklon-B, the uncanny Avantgarde Black Metal entity Urarv is back with their third offering, titled Nychta Psychis, following up on their 2023 sophomore Substratum. Currently formed of the aforementioned Aldrahn on vocals and guitars alongside Sakis also on the guitars, Sturt on bass, and Trish on drums, the band brings forward one of the finest 32 minutes of idiosyncratic Black Metal insanity you will come across in a long time, making it unmistakably clear from the album’s very first second that they couldn’t care less what anyone might expect or think. This resulted in a beautifully unconventional album that is both adventurous and sophisticated without sounding pretentious or artificially original, in special the sheer versatility displayed by Aldrahn’s vocal delivery throughout the album’s duration.

Dødheimsgard offers an excellent start to the album with Aldrahn’s demented vocals walking hand in hand with the song’s metallic, sharp riffs, and crushing beats and fills, sounding like two or three songs in one; followed by the title-track Nychta Psychis, keeping the momentum going with its ethereal intro followed by a burst of Avantgarde Black Metal madness led by the scorching guitars by Aldrahn and Sakis. Then like a dark waltz of Black Metal insanity we have When Consciousness Identifies With Matter It Is Lost, again showcasing a wild fusion of clean and harsh vocals, caustic guitars, and thunderous bass and drums, whereas Operation Genocide already kicks off in full force, sounding very experimental and diverse. Needless to say, Aldrahn is once again insane on vocals. And lastly, Youniverse sounds as demented as it is melodic and dense, with their otherworldly vociferations and venomous riffs captivating our putrid souls until the very end.

While the band recognizes the ancient heritage of Norwegian Black Metal, they also trample across limitations in their new album. “We’re traveling to remote regions of metal music and mental space with this music. Although our message is one of emotional putrefaction, we want to help listeners find a way through the black hole,” commented the band, and you can find more information about them on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their eccentric creations on Spotify, and purchase a copy of their new album from the Darkness Shall Rise’s BandCamp or webstore. Nychta Psychis is simply honest music written by seasoned musicians who have nothing to prove and none to please, and if you like the early works of Dødheimsgard mixed with a handful of different spices, do yourself a favor and make sure to purchase a copy of the new album by those amazing musicians from beautiful Norway.

Best moments of the album: Nychta Psychis and Youniverse.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Darkness Shall Rise

Track listing
1. Dødheimsgard 6:48
2. Nychta Psychis 7:00
3. When Consciousness Identifies With Matter It Is Lost 7:18
4. Operation Genocide 4:30
5. Youniverse 7:04

Band members
Aldrahn – vocals, guitars
Sakis – guitars
Sturt  – bass
Trish – drums