Band: Ragnarok
Title: Collectors Of The King
Label: Regain Records
Distribution: Suburban
Release date: 22/03/2010
Review: CD

The formation Ragnarok is one of the oldest Norwegian bands that stayed true to its roots. They do respect their heritage and it shows!
For this newest album, the horde entered the Swedish Endarker Studios with engineer Magnus Devo Anderson (Marduk, Sargatanas Reign, Allegiance etc) and if you want to, you can call this band the Norwegian Marduk. Of course that’s not correct, yet the comparison is meant positively. Like Marduk, Ragnarok play fast and aggressive, very coherent, with a few slower parts and an enormous energy. Besides, the atmosphere is demonic, the aim is to exterminate. Damn, my misanthropic feelings are getting horny…
But, of course, this band is a Norwegian one, and of course the comparisons are like before: Nordic-oriented. Think early Darkthrone (yet not too early – keep the period 1994-2000 in mind), Taake, Mord or, from time to time, Carpathian Forest and Immortal. The sound is extremely grim and darkening, and that fits well to the uncompromising song structures. Every single composition exhales a sulphuric atmosphere, breathing superior old school blasphemy.
One of the strongest Black Metal-releases in 2010 until now!

92/100

Ivan Tibos.