Source: Album Artwork
Norwegian black metallers Ragnarok, are about to release their eighth studio album Psychopathology on the 25th March via Agonia Records. The iconic band have recorded the new album in Endarker Studios in Sweden alongside Marduk’s bassist Devo. Surprisingly, the band have made a bold move with Psychopathology by deciding not to feature founder Jontho on drums and have him as frontman instead. To replace him on the drum-kit, Dauden drummer Malignant has stepped in. The graphic album artwork has been designed by Marcelo Vasco who has previously worked with the likes of Slayer and Machine Head and combined with the album name, Ragnarok appear to have produced the essence of black metal once again.
Given that the band have been incredibly active in the black metal scene for over twenty years, Psychopathology has been highly anticipated by fans, and frontman Jontho stated that they “can be absolutely certain that this album will be the best in Ragnarok’s career to date. It is the result of dedication, hard work, and the music skills of our line-up, and is the next stage in the band’s development, both musically and lyrically”.
The title track ‘Psychopathology’ is one saturated with raw gut punching energy, it’s the epitome of black metal. Viking thundering riffs are combined with pungent blast beats, and harsh raspy vocals to create a crushing and distinctly black metal track. Their use of both melodic and heavily distorted guitar riffs adds an interesting dynamic to their sound through very subtle incorporations of other genres. Tracks like ‘My Creator’ and ‘Blood’ follow suit, incorporating both dark and lighter melodic parts, leaving you somewhere between clarity and the depths of darkness.
Jontho claims that “Psychopathology is about to unleash total chaos upon you as it invites you to dive deeper into the dark recesses of the human mind”. If by diving deeper he means cramming songs with tight, intricate and bone crushing riffs, heavy enough to throw you into darkness, then the album definitely succeeds. Tracks like ‘Hate’ and ‘Into The Abyss’ have incredibly elaborate guitar riffs, pounding so rapidly that they could almost breathe fire. ‘Heretic’ opens with a shattering drum riff fast enough to make the earth shake, the vocals erupt in a fury and when combined with the caustic guitar riff, the track evokes nothing but destruction and brutality.
Psychopathology is ferocious and although it might not be a light listen, it’s definitely an exemplification of a solid black metal album. The aggressive energy present within every track gives the album a corrosive sound and the skill gone into creating the complicated riffs is impressive to say the least. The use of violent shredding, abrasive vocals and blast beats strong enough to rattle your brains, leave you no choice but to recede into the dark recesses of the mind. Unless you’re a fan of black metal though, you’ll probably not be gripped by this album.
