Helvítismyrkr

Seventh full-length by the mystical Swedish entity Arckanum, “Helvítismyrkr” delivers a shadow-soaked ritual of chaotic, primal black metal wrapped in an ancient, otherworldly atmosphere, with Shamaatae reaffirming himself as the absolute master behind this one-man project. The production is clearer yet still pitch-black, letting the hypnotic riffs and relentless blast beats crush with full force while retaining every nuance. Tracks like “Ór Djúpum” and “Nifldreki” balance raw aggression with an irresistible sense of momentum, while “Svartr ok Þursligr” introduces unexpected string arrangements that add a layer of transcendent melancholy. “In Svarta” slows everything down into a suffocating ritual, and “Sísoltinn” closes the album with esoteric, majestic intensity. A solid, fully coherent work that powerfully reinforces Arckanum’s chaotic-gnostic legacy.