Nazxul – Iconoclast (2009)

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After going into a full-length album hibernation of 14 years, Australia’s cult legends Nazxul are back with a masterful Black Metal release that will set straight all the posers in the scene, and will show to all others how a Black Metal album should be done.

While the band’s releases between full length albums where good, they could not compare to “Totem” until now. “Iconoclast” features 14 tracks (ambient passages included) of 90’s sounding Black Metal, something that is rare to find these days. While people might argue that the passages in-between tracks are just fillers, I have to say that they provide the perfect breathing time and the necessary pause in order to fully appreciate the next ‘real’ track.

The music is symphonic in nature and it has the feeling of Emperor’s “Nightside Eclipse” album, so you know this album is amazing just by hearing this comparison. While the music is not complex in nature, the band’s sound is very rich and enthralling.

The guitar riffs are one of the main things that make this album so great, they are very simple and subtle but catchy and they hook the listener instantly. The dense yet melodic atmosphere of this album is what makes “Iconoclast” one of the best BM albums I have reviewed in quite a while, since Blood Stained Dusk’s “Black Faith Inquisition”.

This album is very well written and perfectly executed in such a way that I have tried to find flaws on it on purpose, but after the tenth listen I have given up on this task, it’s just too close to perfection. It feel like the band members went to sleep years ago, when BM was on it’s prime, and they just woke up and recorded an album. I’m very impressed on how the band is managing to keep their cult status by not releasing something disappointing or way out on left field.

Now that the Nazxul beast is fully awaken I’m looking forward into hearing their demonical sound live in their US tour. But for know “Iconoclast” is on my constant rotation of albums, and will surely be on my all time favorite list. You have been warned, go and get this album before it because a collectors item.

Band: Nazxul Album: Iconoclast
Label: Moribund Records

Release: July 28, 2009

Official Site myspace
Genre: Black Metal

Country: France

Rating: 93/100
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