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NORSE - Hellstorm

GENRE: Black/death metal
COUNTRY: Australia
FORMAT: CD
LABEL: Self financed
YEAR: 2010

RATING: 6/10
REVIEWED BY: PSL
PROVIDED BY: Norse

Norse is an Australian four-piece. The band plays a mixture of black and death metal with some hints of thrash metal as well. It's obvious that most of the inspiration lies in black metal. Usually I'm not all that fond of this blend and Norse don't really change my view on that.

The song-writing is overall okay and the band is mostly able to add enough catchy parts and vary music so it doesn't get boring, but at the same time the music also tends to miss that something that makes it really exciting. To me a big part of the problem is that the black metal inspiration is way too exposed, both in the music and vocals. I like when the death metal inputs get a little more room, like in some parts of "Father of the Norns". A more balanced approach style wise wouldn't have hurt.

The four-piece above all play fast and that works as an asset. It helps a lot in terms of energy and preventing the music from getting boring. Another good thing is that the band does slow down now and then and add some moodier parts. These provide a nice contrast to the fast parts and add some needed contrast.

Hellstorm is an okay effort, but Norse doesn't add anything to the genre that hasn't already been done. If you like black metal with a twist of death metal, then Hellstorm is worth looking closer at.


Father of the Norns Flesh Abyss Frozen Deserts of Time Hellstorm V The Light of Norse Glory in Death Devour the Serpents Flame Spewing Forth Arachnids To Find Odin War and Her Bastards Sons
		NORSE - Hellstorm GENRE: Black/death metal COUNTRY: Australia FORMAT: CD LABEL: Self financed YEAR: 2010 RATING: 6/10 REVIEWED BY: PSL PROVIDED BY: Norse Norse is an Australian four-piece. The band plays a mixture of black and death metal with some hints of thrash metal as well. It's obvious that most of the inspiration lies in black metal. Usually I'm not all that fond of this blend and Norse don't really change my view on that. The song-writing is overall okay and the band is mostly able to add enough catchy parts and vary music so it doesn't get boring, but at the same time the music also tends to miss that something that makes it really exciting. To me a big part of the problem is that the black metal inspiration is way too exposed, both in the music and vocals. I like when the death metal inputs get a little more room, like in some parts of "Father of the Norns". A more balanced approach style wise wouldn't have hurt. The four-piece above all play fast and that works as an asset. It helps a lot in terms of energy and preventing the music from getting boring. Another good thing is that the band does slow down now and then and add some moodier parts. These provide a nice contrast to the fast parts and add some needed contrast. Hellstorm is an okay effort, but Norse doesn't add anything to the genre that hasn't already been done. If you like black metal with a twist of death metal, then Hellstorm is worth looking closer at.