NECROFIER – TRANSCEND INTO OBLIVION

Linking the sections, there are three instrumental interludes: 'Behold, The Birth of Ascension', 'Mystical Creation of Enlightenment', and 'Toward the Necrofier'. It makes sense to examine these first before delving into the album’s heavier, riff-driven material. These interludes are difficult to classify as traditional songs. Instead, they function as fragmented soundscapes, with scattered musical motifs and ominous chants, lacking continuous flow. In the context of the full album, they fit the overall experience and add atmosphere, even if they aren’t strictly essential. The album begins with a dark, atmospheric intro, setting the stage for the first of the three-part chapters. 'Fires of the Apocalypse, Light My Path I' immediately draws attention. Its structure and morbid melodic lines recall early WATAIN. During the opening act, traces of Swedish black metal remain strong, but NECROFIER expands the sound with subtle apocalyptic keyboard textures. By the third segment, these layers occasionally shift into eerie, chilling chimes, enhancing the suite’s ominous, foreboding atmosphere. Even with its firmly European backbone, the band’s sound carries a subtle American nuance. At certain moments, echoes of UADA can be detected, though these elements remain clearly behind the Scandinavian influence. Despite the frequent shifts in tempo and atmosphere, the songwriting stays focused and relatively compact. The recurring hymn-like and epic undertones, in particular, leave a strong impression and add a memorable dimension to the material. 

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Across 'Servants of Darkness, Guide My Way' Parts I and II (the album’s second chapter), NECROFIER lean heavily into black-thrash elements, delivering sharp, driving riffs with notable intensity. Part III, however, shifts direction, showing a slower and more doom-oriented approach, unfolding with a heightened, almost solemn character. This shift creates a distinct stylistic contrast within the trilogy and adds further depth to the overall structure. Overall, the songwriting manages to stay focused and relatively compact, even amid numerous twists and shifts. The recurring hymn-like, epic undertones are especially striking and add a strong sense of depth. It is a shame, however, that 'Servants of Darkness, Guide My Way' often sets aside these melodic moments, favoring a harsher, more unbridled delivery instead. The third section brings this chapter of 'Transcend Into Oblivion' to a more hymn-like close. It is somehow disappointing that 'Horns of Destruction, Lift My Blade' largely follows the same three-part formula. Once again, only the final segment fully delivers, while the earlier sections are marked by a degree of musical chaos. Kicking things off with a dry, stripped-down Black’n’Roll riff, the series moves between icy bursts of speed and elevated mid-tempo passages. Dark, atmospheric keyboards are brought forward, intensifying the tension, while 'Horns of Destruction, Lift My Blade II' layers in ominous choral textures. The sheer aggression of certain passages evokes homage to EMPEROR, creating a powerful combination of raw intensity and brooding atmosphere that runs through the entire three-part series. 

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Verdict

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So, what’s the verdict on NECROFIER’s third full-length album, "Transcend Into Oblivion"? The album takes a few listens to fully reveal itself, and it has its flaws, but patience is rewarded with rich detail and an atmosphere that is both dark and merciless—a quality enhanced by a production that is nuanced without being overly polished. In any case, NECROFIER succeeded in further sharpening their own distinctive profile with this release.

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SCORE 8/10

Reviewed by SWAMPY

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