I feel the tempo is spot-on, and the band does a fantastic job of maintaining the same atmosphere throughout — dark, dense, and full of memorable moments. I especially enjoyed how the guitarist uses alternate picking on chord progressions, really allowing each note to shine through the mix. The vocals are potent and delivered with great skill. My favourite part of the song was probably the last three to four minutes, where it shifts into a more “bopping/moving” style. I think the drums have the biggest influence here, going from blast beats to a more methodical 4/4 rhythm with some extra spice thrown in.

Track 2
No messing around here. The opening chord progressions hit you instantly — dark, alluring, and perfectly complimented by deep, harsh vocals. The singer delivers his growls in such a way that the voice feels more like an additional instrument than a standard vocal line, knowing exactly when to shift from slightly restrained to full-blown aggression. Another standout moment for me is the segment from 04:00 onwards. It begins with an incredibly deep, long, drawn-out guitar chord that resonates through your whole body like a massive vibrational sweep. As the chord fades, subtle yet very clean echoing chords emerge, paired with high-pitched swirling ambience. The drums here are brilliant — heavy floor toms punctuated by snare hits, creating a deliberate, methodical feel. This section is absolutely insane. I genuinely think the band has mastered this kind of slow, crushing tempo. The layering is superb, with every instrument audible and the production extremely tight.

Track 3
What can I say… Track 3 easily has the most beautiful introduction, played on a trumpet. The passage is melancholic and bittersweet. As a massive fan of atmospheric black metal and other black metal forms that incorporate melodic, lighter instrument intros, I loved this addition. It was beautiful and perfectly suited for the song’s direction. At 1:28, the snare drum hits — BAT BAT BAT — launching straight into one of the sickest, downright awesome tremolo-picked melodies I’ve heard in a long while. This fast-picked section reappears throughout the song, and while it’s rapid and climbs up and down the fretboard, it still carries that underlying melancholy. Around the two-minute mark, the track shifts into a heavier, more desolate passage, showcasing some seriously impressive blast beats with excellent cymbal work — especially the moments where the drummer uses the bell of the ride cymbal for that constant tink tink tink tink. Call me bold, but I think the section between 3:30 and 5:00 really gives off Groza vibes. As a huge fan of Groza, I’ll even say this band might be edging them out with an even darker, more gripping style. This is probably my favourite track on the album — it’s loaded with captivating guitar passages, insane melodies, and impeccable atmosphere. I truly hope Varnheim creates more music in this style in the future.

Track 4
”Now I’ve become death, the despairer of worlds” What an amazing way to kick things off!

This track easily has the most “get up and punch someone in the face” potential. You know those songs where you just screw your face up and feel ready to fight for no reason? Yeah, this is one of those. (And I’m not even an aggressive person, haha.) The tones here are the dog’s bollocks. This, in my opinion, is how dark, groovy black metal should sound — not watered down, just straight-up heavy-hitting drums, killer vocals, and powerful guitar work. The band transitions effortlessly between classic fast-paced black metal and slower, crushing parts. A real highlight comes at 7:42, where the track takes on a “full, uplifting, triumphant” vibe. The clean guitar tones sound rich and complete, painting vivid mental images — a dark battlefield steeped in despair, but also carrying a sense of hope and longing.