This is the fourth album from Swedish black metal band Dödsrit.
Whereas each of Dödsrit’s well-regarded previous albums, (including 2018’s top notch Spirit Crusher), contained four songs, Nocturnal Will breaks with tradition and delivers six tracks in total, (although to be fair one is a sub-minute interlude).
Across 43 minutes Dödsrit’s captivating blend of atmospheric and crust-powered violence once again swathes us in the sort of dark, immersive soundscapes that are richly engrossing. The melodies are thick and striking, while the barely restrained aggression is delivered with furious passion. Dödsrit are in fine form here, and they have taken their style a step forward on this new collection of tracks too.
Nocturnal Will succeeds in combining melodic and atmospheric strains of black metal with hardcore crust wrath. It’s a record that walks both worlds, manifesting as an in-depth examination of a modern blackened style that’s infectious and rewarding. However, it’s not all that’s going on here.
Nocturnal Will has an epic streak that has been further developed and embraced from the band’s earlier work. There’s a real classic heavy metal influence that can be keenly felt in many of the leads and solos, (one of which is a scorcher provided by the artist behind Lamp of Murmuur). Dödsrit’s new songs deepen this aspect of their music, while also allowing the others to shine darkly. The violence is sharp and brutal, but the beauty is resplendent and bright, and frequently majestic and heroic. Couple all of this with Dödsrit’s ability to weave absorbing atmosphere around their sonic fury and metallic might, and you end up with a well-rounded album that has lots to offer connoisseurs of modern blackened extremity.
Dödsrit have never released a bad album, and Nocturnal Will is no exception. In fact, I’d argue that it’s even stronger than its extremely strong predecessor Mortal Coil. Only time will tell, but as it stands at the moment I think Nocturnal Will is possibly Dödsrit’s best record yet.
Essential listening.
Wonderbox Metal 
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