Well, this is my first review on this site.
It was 2004, and the controversial Ukrainian band Nokturnal Mortum released “Мировоззрение”, album that I think is one of his best works.
The first thing that stands out in this work is the evident positive change, in composition and production, with respect to the previous album, entitled "Нехристь", especially in the mixture of black metal and folk music. Here the base music and the folk elements do not feel like forced pieces trying to fit, on the contrary, the union of these elements is compact and nothing goes out of order. The aggressiveness of Varggoth's voice, the power of the guitars and the drums, and the melodic intervals give a certain air of glory, there is a present and well-defined atmosphere. The pieces are well thought out and perfectly executed. In the middle of each song, there are brief acoustic interludes, which bring tranquillity after the adrenaline and fury that unleash the longest songs.
I think it is necessary to mention that music does not have a "polished sound" (to put it in any way). I say this because, probably, someone might think that having folk elements is synonymous with a "clean production". However, the distortion of the guitars sound buzzing and dirty. The bass is hardly distinguishable in the songs. The battery tends to follow patterns and not vary too much, it is also powerful. In short, the sound is not far from the rawness characteristic of black metal (although this is not like the "Goat Horns").
The songs are long, since they last between 8 to a little more than 10 minutes. The band has been ingenious, because they have managed to handle different rhythms and melodies that create different moments in the songs. You will not be listening for 8 or 9 minutes something repetitive and trite.
However, not everything here is to my liking. Although the music is quite pleasant, the problem is the content of some lyrics. I am not bothered at all by the war theme, the exaltation of honor, even patriotism, but there are songs, such as Мировоззение or Вкус победы, in which the band repeats anti-semitism. And seriously, the content is fucking ridiculous; because the lyrics mention conspiracies that are absurd wherever you look (They even go so far as to say that in the Second World War the Germans and the Russians fight each other because of a Jewish plan, this is hilarious).
In conclusion, I think that despite certain lyrics that are silly, the overall balance of the album is positive. Here exceeded in proposals to albums like "To the Gates of Blasphemous Fire" and "Нехристь". It marks the musical evolution of the band, and this work could be said to be the cornerstone of today's Nokturnal Mortum. I also think it's a good entry point to get into this peculiar band.
Sample:
youtube.com/watch?v=wOlb8md07M0&list=RDwOlb8md07M0&start_radio=1
