Nahtrunar – Hrima

Following up ‘Wolfsstunde’ is quite a tall order, as Nahtrunar delivered a stellar atmospheric Black Metal record that could match itself with their fantastic debut ‘Symbolismus’ and their genre peers. Yet here the Austrians return with their most ambitious record to date, the nearly 90 minutes long ‘Hrima’ presented on 2CD and 2LP by Altare Productions.

For ‘Hrima’, which finds its meaning in old languages and stands for rime or hoarfrost, is an expansive work that more than ever combines the band’s penchant for atmospheric Black Metal with ambient soundscapes. Although it should be regarded as one full album, the record can be roughly divided into two parts. The first nine tracks, in which Black Metal and ambient instrumental alternate, reach their culmination in the track ‘Gestirn’. Following that song are a set of instrumental that once again recapitulate the essence of the album from an ambient perspective, an overarching theme of poetic mysticism of nature and the human longing for transcendence.

With ‘Seelenheim’ the album starts in a manner familiar to Nahtrunar, a lengthy track that builds in intensity and atmosphere much in the vein of ‘Wolfsstunde’. Within the theme of the album, there is a dark side to the song manifesting in some guitar riffs and the raspy vocals, and a more elated, adoring atmosphere in the leading melodies. The infusion of strings and churchbells gives the song a grandiose appearance, one suited with the aim of the album. Through the first instrumental we transcend into the entrancing melodies of ‘Einem Fürsten’, a song that carries an icy tone together with a rattling pace. Through the instrumental doublet of the Folky ‘Theiwo (Donner)’ and the flowing ‘Garanjo (Flut)’ we reach the blasting start of ‘Die Milch meiner Dichtung’, a dynamic track with riffs that shift in mood, alienating keys and a backdrop of acoustics. A bombastic alteration of threatening and epic parts combines into one of the strongest tracks of the album. ‘Bildness der Blutsonne’ then builds on this intensity through beautiful melodies, until the album reaches its climax with ‘Gestirn’. Described by the band as “a last deep breath, followed by silence”, the track combines acoustics, strings and gritty guitars into a layered and contrasting piece in which the elements seem to contradict each other to fascinating effect. The continuous shifts, passionate vocals and epic ending make it into one of the best tracks by the band thus far, and a rightful climax to the album.

Following ‘Gestirn’ are five more instrumental tracks, of which ‘Sauths (Opfer)’ features ambient soundscapes and acoustic strumming while ‘Hliuth (Schweigen)’ is a combination of distorted chords, strings, piano and flutes. The titled track is then continued in three chapters, of which ‘Hrima I’ has a flowing main note with high-pitched tones to transmit a sense of a gaze at the nightsky. As horns swell, it’s this main note that is forms a consistent hypnosis while sound effects form an escalation in tempo. ‘Hrima II’ is a darker interpretation, bringing back some of the themes that were featured earlier on the record. Likewise, some recurring themes are featured in ‘Hrima III’, which further includes heavenly choirs and acoustic strumming with pianos. The recongnisable themes and more hypnotizing character of the instrumentals does feel as if part of the record and theme is reinterpreted, although personally I have to admit that my attention drifted a little bit during these Ambient tracks.

The grandiose atmosphere and beautiful melodies make ‘Hrima’ into yet another excellent Nahtrunar album and a step up from ‘Wolfsstunde’. While there are many ambient instrumentals featured on the record, they enhance the atmosphere of awe that oozes from the riffs and give that sense of transcendence that the band looked to infuse thematically. Whether the avid Black Metal fan will find themselves listening through the ambient perspective after ‘Gestirn’ has ended is up for debate, but one can only admire the ambition, devotion and execution that Nathrunar displays on ‘Hrima’.