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Armagedda > Ond Spiritism: Djæfvvlens Skalder Anno Serpenti MMIV > Reviews
Armagedda - Ond Spiritism: Djæfvvlens Skalder Anno Serpenti MMIV

Exercises in black clouds and Death - 100%

Larval Divination, June 30th, 2017

I'm one to think the tag "atmospheric black metal" is redundant, since by definition black metal is atmospheric. "Atmospheric" is a multidimensional word. As music can evoke bright scenes of nature, or scenes of mundane depression, it can also evoke scenes of supernatural dustclouds from which filth and carrion cascade, and that is exactly what Ond Spiritism does.

Ond Spiritism sounds worm-eaten. Ond Spiritism is the sound of the earth surrendering. Ond Spiritism is a serpent coiling unto itself amidst absolute blackness.

I believe this album offers everything one should be looking for in this manifestation of art: A dust ridden production, more than competent musicianship, a mature presentation, riffs that make one's blood boil, but above all - A sense of artistic integrity, of true, real blackness in an almost tangible way. One doesn't have to wonder what kind of things have brought the inspiration that cemented this beast, it all lies in the title of the album itself. In a much more vulgar way of illustrating it, it does exactly what it says on the tin.

It doesn't make sense to review song by song. It all flows perfectly, the track listing choices are superb. Ond Spiritism doesn't work by listening to individual tracks, although each track is stronger by itself than 90% of the albums that are released each year. I believe Ond Spiritism is a moment of demonic paranoia that has to be experienced wholly in the approximate 50 minutes it encompasses.

This is an expression of black metal of the highest caliber; while it is mature, professional and elegant, it also reeks of mass graves and noxious fumes. This album manifests the absolute darkness that characterizes the genuine spirit of black metal.

I've found the best way of describing this album in one sentence lies in the song name of one of the tracks themselves.

Döden styr livet.

Djæfvvlens Skalder Anno Serpenti MMIV - 90%

dismember_marcin, August 24th, 2013

Wow… I have just listened to (five times!) Armagedda’s third and final record titled "Ond Spiritism: Djæfvvlens Skalder Anno Serpenti MMIV". And I just cannot believe that it’s been almost ten years since this album came out! Originally I got this album as a promo CD from Agonia Records at the time of its release, but as soon as the vinyl version came out I purchased it, as I’ve found this LP to be so good, so awesome that I just wanted to have it on vinyl, rather than a promo CD, you know… Later it has been re-released a couple of times I think, but I still have that original gatefold LP, which looks and sounds just killer. Erik from Watain was responsible for all the layout and graphics and he did great job; I like the fact that the colouring is so untypical for black metal records… It is not black and white, but sort of brown and generally (especially the booklet for the CD) looks like it’s been an old occult book or something, and it has been smeared with blood… all in all it looks great!

When listening to “Ond Spiritism” I think the first thing, which amazes me is how the sound of the band has matured since the previous LPs. I mean the debut was more or less, but very harsh, very raw and badly produced black metal, then “Only True Believers” was a step forward to it – with better production and better songs, but still very classic and traditional Darkthrone’ish black metal. And “Ond Spiritism” takes another huugggee step forward, musically developing into something almost completely different than “Final War Approaching”. The production is way better; the album sounds quite clean, but with that raw and black metal feeling; it generally has nice organic sound, very natural, of the band playing live and I must say that I really, really like that kind of production… So, forget the low-fi noise from the debut LP. More so, great accent has been putted on the rhythm section here. Drums’ sound is just perfect and the bass is almost dominating in some parts of the album. Somehow the way bass sounds and the role it takes reminds me bands like Tulus and Khold, where this instrument is very well audible and quite often the whole motif is based on its playing. The same can be noticed on “Ond Spiritism”; maybe not necessarily on the whole album, but in few moments like “Helvetestoner” for example. This song begins with an intro played on bass, what already sounds unusual, I think.

Actually “Helvetestoner” is one of my favourite songs from the whole album. I really like that opening riff from it, which is quite melodic and surely it shows that the band was not necessarily doing the ultimate harsh and primitive black metal anymore, but instead went into more original and less orthodox, but still very black metal sound. And that can be even more audible in the second track “Döpt i oheligt vatten”, which really does remind me Tulus. Bass guitar plays very important role, with the guitar riffs being more like a filling to the entire sound of the song, but generally the whole track is quite atmospheric and grim, but in very original way. For sure it is something uncommon. After that “Afsked” sounds like a classic black metal song, straight to the point, accenting on the traditional guitar riffs and structure. And the same goes for "Ændalykt". The cold, grim and eerie atmosphere in these songs is something what makes me like this music especially… it truly is freezing and has awesome feeling, which is underlined by the ghoulish, raspy vocals of Graav (with all the lyrics written entirely in Swedish, while the previous LPs had mostly the English written texts… and I definitely like these Swedish lyrics, as the vocals sound better). Also pretty much the whole album is either midpaced or slow, speaking of the tempos. Unlike the previous LPs you won’t find here too many of those simple, monotonous fast black metal songs, with one or two riffs played in one constant speedy tempo, like it was taken from “Transilvanian Hunger”. I guess “Afgrundsvisioner” is the only exception here, as it provides some outbursts of uncontrolled hatred and speed, but the whole song is more varied and for sure it cannot be described as monotonous, so in the end I think this is one of the best, if not the best, track off the whole LP.

Sadly “Ond Spiritism” is the final album from Armagedda. The band stated that “…We decided after the release of “Ond Spiritism” that it was for the best to put this phenomenon of ours to the past, we felt that we had achieved everything we needed and seen in our dreams. To continue would have been a move in the wrong direction…” and well I can surely respect such decision, when the band calls it quit, if feels that the album they just did will definitely be a pinnacle of their style and it would be difficult, or almost impossible, to come up with something better (or at least as good) in such style of music. Sometimes it is better to finish one chapter, instead of repeating yourself endlessly and fucking the same corpse over and over again, while it rots more and more and smells worse and worse and you know it won’t get fresh anymore. So, in that way I do respect the decision of Graav and A., but from the other hand I remember I was quite disappointed to see this band finished so soon… especially as either LIK or Lönndom managed to capture my attention so much. But well, that’s another story… Certainly though “Ond Spiritism” will remain to me as one of the better black metal records from the previous decade.
Standout tracks: “Helvetestoner”, “Afgrundsvisioner”, “Döpt i oheligt vatten”
Final rate: 90/100

Ond spiritism - 82%

Storfeth, June 28th, 2013

As of 2004, Armagedda are officially split-up. But during this four-year period of their existence they were extremely active, offering us 3 full-length albums and a bunch of EPs and splits. This release is practically the last one from the Swedish duo, and once again they choose to offer us something different from their previous two works.

To begin with, here we’re dealing with 8 tracks and most of them are above 5 minutes long. As soon as the record starts playing, it is obvious that Armagedda choose to follow a slower, atmospheric path and it turns out to be a successful attempt. The guitar riffs are most of the time slow and repetitive, with a dark and mysterious tone while some dissonant and acoustic passages enhance this phenomenon. As the listening progresses, the character of this work becomes clearer. All the elements are contributing to the final result and especially the voice of Graav which in this case is sounding very spiritual, like coming out from an ecstatic man possessed with hellish power. Unfortunately I can’t understand the lyrics, but I don’t think that their content is really hard to imagine.

Production is just a bit better than the previous releases in my opinion and it’s a good choice, since it stresses even the tiniest details, such as the sound of rain falling that can be heard at some point. The drums and the bass can be perfectly heard as well, although they do not offer an extraordinary performance since the album speed just varies from slow to mid tempo. Nevertheless, it’s always nice to hear a steady and firm rhythm section.

“Ond Spiritism: Djæfvulens Skalder“ is probably the less straightforward album of Armagedda, but don’t let this discourage you. There are some great moments in this record that are revealed in due time, so be patient. In order to make a conclusion about the short music career of Armagedda, I’d characterize them as a decent band that represents most of the elements of Scandinavian black metal. If you are a fan of the scene, you should check their releases in chronological order and explore all the changes in their influences and musical style as years passed by.

Originally written for: The Lair of Storfeth

The final evidence..or almost. - 100%

Kristenhat666, December 6th, 2007

Whenever "OND SPIRITISM" crosses my mind, I'm almost tempted to say that it's a pity ARMAGEDDA put an end to their musical career after this release. However, I always dismiss this feeling, as I am perfectly aware of what the members are like as people today. This review is based on my impression upon hearing the album, with further comments added now that I'm wiser about it all. Still, I have decided not to judge this album based on what happened after the band was dissolved. Their music had been beyond reproach until that time, and with "OND SPIRITISM", for many Black Metallers, it became immortal! And it does not matter whether one believes the official reasons why ARMAGEDDA was "put to the past", though I surely know better. However, the causes seem so irrelevant when you consider the results. "OND SPIRITISM" proved that A. and Graav were intent on keeping their music within the strict limits of True Black Metal to the very last tune, and so they did.

The first aspect of "OND SPIRITISM" I'd like to analyze is the sound and production. Most of us Metallers know that the basic ploy used by TBM bands is to have their sound recorded as low-fi as possible, sometimes even opting for the "shoebox effect". This is not without due reason, since low-quality production is often responsible for giving an album an obscure, hateful and "cult" atmosphere. Is this the case of ARMAGEDDA? Hardly. In order to create such an atmosphere, Graav and A. chose to rely rather on the musical expression of feelings and states of mind that they experience as part of being who they are. They did not need to camouflage their songs with studio effects nor with an artificially-generated "evil" sound. Their songs on "OND SPIRITISM" are so honest when it comes to expressing their innermost emotions of negativity that they were able to avoid such kind of production alterations. All the frequencies that ARMAGEDDA have used on this opus are definitely high-fi, and this does not rob the album of its sinister, dark or even unsettling aspects! By betting everything on their talent and true feelings, A. and Graav have in this respect achieved more than anyone else. An unprecedented success, I must add.

Another side of "OND SPIRITISM" that must be spotlighted is the bass guitar. Except for being omnipresent and quite at the forefront, which is more than rare by any BM standards, it has not been given an excessively distorted sound just to make it seem more aggressive and hateful. It sounds in fact rather harmonious and melts in with the other instruments, and I do believe it was not played using a pick this time, but with the fingers instead. This is quite audible, to offer just one example, in song number 3, entitled "Avsked". It should also be noted that "OND SPIRITISM" starts off with a long bass guitar riff, slightly repetitive at first but then evolving into a very catchy melody, and even in the last riff of the album, when Graav's scream dies away, the bass suddenly adds much more emphasis to what is being played, while staying in its own lines of notes. Simply amazing!

The vocals are the next issue. Many people have claimed that Graav's voice sounds like a hybrid between his performance on their EPs, which has a tonality that provokes a feeling of uneasiness in the listener, and the one present on their full-lengths, typically raspy and imbued with loathing. This is, however, not entirely truthful, for on "OND SPIRITISM", Graav resorts to vocals akin to those heard on their previous full-length albums without giving his screams and grunts any suicidal or self-destructive undertone. What he does is that he allows his voice to shift from its usual raspy trait to a partial or semi-clean vocal, which works perfectly in creating a declarative tone, like a profession of emotions and ideals. So we are talking about vocal elements that are not only original within ARMAGEDDA's music, but in BM as a whole.

But what about the guitars? They should have the main role here, and they do. The uneasy or unsettling atmosphere on "OND SPIRITISM" is mainly due to the way the guitar riffs are structured and at what pace they evolve. All string instruments, beginning with the guitars, are highly repetitive and even monotonous in the way they are taken further and built upon. What this fact does is that it makes the intense negativity that can be sensed throughout this album seem endless, unremitting and utterly suffocating. And when change and evolution do take place, they only accentuate the despair and negativity! ARMAGEDDA took their ability to channel such an atmosphere to the limit, and what is just as important, made sure that the riffing quality was also there.

The lyrics, to my satisfaction, are all in Swedish, which separates "OND SPIRITISM" from ARMAGEDDA's prior releases, where English was the dominant language. What is more cult, I have to ask, than Black Metal sung in Scandinavian languages? These languages in general, and Swedish in this case, are characterized by a rough pronunciation that is far more expressive than anything found elsewhere! All the emotions expressed in BM are thus given sharpness and ruthlessness on this release, quite like a knife being plunged relentlessly into the heart of christian victim!

The drums are the last praiseworthy instrument. "OND SPIRITISM" is generally a mid-paced album, with only a few scarce riffs slowing down or, on even more rare occasions, speeding up. Drumming speed, a usual requirement in BM, characterized by ultra-fast breaks and frenetic blast-beats, is nowhere to be found! ARMAGEDDA decided to heighten the intensity of the tracks by keeping them centered on the speed scale. Was that a good choice? Surely, since it adds impact to the uneasiness that the listeners are subjected to.

So what can I say to round this review off? Well, ARMAGEDDA have shown us that they were nothing less than a 100% True Black Metal band, and instead of compromising on their style over the years, they remained faithful to the genre- a unique attitude by any person's standards! Moreover, their musical inspiration peaked on their last album. Nobody can claim that "OND SPIRITISM" suffers from an absence of quality! Even if when I look at the members today, I truly doubt theirs. Which brings me to the title of this review. The final evidence of what, some of you may still be wondering. Well, if this review has not been clear enough for some readers, let me spell things out for those who may still be confused: "OND SPIRITISM" is the final proof that, had ARMAGEDDA subsisted in its existence and had the members not spat upon the genre and everything it stands for, I would now be saying that they are not just truer than practically any other band out there, but also one of the main candidates for the greatest Black Metal legacies of all time! HOWEVER, I CAN HARDLY IGNORE THIS "IF" NOW, CAN I?

The ultimate death.. - 96%

TheScourge, September 9th, 2007

With Armagedda's third and final studio offering (again at Necromorbus, so choice and suitably grim production abounds) we are presented with a dark, ancient, and punishing embodiment of pure fucking darkness. This isn't the "nowadays" black metal Nargaroth's pissed at, nor is it the "modern" black metal Fenriz chastised in a Maelstrom interview. This is true, scary-ass, old school black metal done right. No, not done the way Darkthrone have been doing it (and their endless clones) for 10 albums. Done RIGHT. Abandoning the Under a Funeral Moon-worship of their debut The Final War Approaching (which was by no means less than fantastic), and laying waste even to the pure Swedish glory (understatement.) of Only True Believers, Armagedda have moved completely into the nether with an aura of experimentation and ravishing grimness (pun not intended) that the wimps at Moribund ought to take notice, since their "cold, grim, evil" hordes are, well, to put it lightly, pretty fuckin' basic. HERE is cold, grim, and EVIL fucking black metal. And it's not even that fast. In fact, the album is predominantly mid-paced, but it's filled with lysergic dirges that easily qualify as doom. A tome of death so dark that the songs literally drip with blackness. Soaked in reverb and experimental drone, the riffs that guide the listener into the abyss are the perfect soundtrack to the wanderings of some post-apocalyptic nomad perusing the destroyed, rotting streets of the world we once knew.



Graav's vocals have become increasingly impressive, and the riffs have always been good, and this release is no-less worthy. Also, it's back to singing in Swedish again, which I love. I really get bummed when bands sing in English. There is nothing occult- or scary-sounding in English. But, there are many Burzum-esqe wails for once, and at some parts he goes back to their old 7" days and just fucking shrieks. You know, like he's fucking dying. Which is nice. For those of you who haven't heard their split with Woods of Infinity, the song they contribute ACTUALLY makes you uncomfortable. It's depressing and it's fucking scary. And, relentless in its audial oppression. Anyway, after the splits they got a little more structured and took on a more basic sound, less creepy, more "black metal". Now, thankfully, they have gone back to this creepyness, and this time coupled it with a matured sense of songwriting. And once that Swedish kickbeat comes in... well, scramble for that lighter buddy, it's going to be a grim fucking night.


Oh yeah, and they called it quits so the fuckin' noobs couldn't get into 'em! And they made sure the hipsters knew it! How's that for poser slaughter!

Great album, dare I say essential.