To further prove that Norwegian black metal is far from dead, NIDINGR take a big leap in progress with their sophomore record, Greatest of Deceivers. The band’s last one, Wolf-Father, was undoubtedly very good but it did not necessarily break new ground.
With Greatest of Deceivers, NIDINGR take a more avant garde Norwegian black metal approach. There are plenty of tempo changes, eerie atmospheres, unsettling shifts, and plenty of dissonance. The band never allow the listener to get too comfortable or complacent as the songs constantly shift around. Naturally, recent DODHEIMSGARD and MAYHEM releases may be points of reference for this record. Additionally, a good comparison to NIDINGR’s progression is SATYRICON’s Rebel Extravaganza as nothing is straight forward and simple.
The guitar/bass duo of Teloch (MAYHEM, UMORAL) and Blargh (DODHEIMSGARD) offer their most ambitious riffing yet. Refreshingly, NIDINGR break new ground in this department as the record crawls, blasts, charges, and stomps about. It should also be mentioned that bass plays a role in the record.
Clean guitars ring out alongside raging guitars/bass as vocalist El.Cpt.Estrella Grasa conjures the spells. Drumgod Hellhammer is not part of the record but Øyvind Myrvoll does more than a good job. Øyvind’s drums are mixed to give it a very natural sound. Fans will be happy to know that ULVER’s Trickster G AKA Garm AKA Kris Rygg makes another excellent appearance.
There is more than enough to digest and understand about Greatest of Deceivers, and that’s precisely its biggest strength. Props to NIDINGR for taking a big leap forward and expanding their world. No formulas, no gimmicks. Just Norwegian black metal for 2012. (Indie Recordings)
