Finding out that Helvitnir was a band that was comprised of:

former members of Mayhem, Ragnarok and Myronath.

Left me with a conundrum.

Did I review their new single, Throes Of Transformation, or did I begin at the beginning and review their 2024 EP, Helborn? Well, me being me, I decided, fuck it, I’ll do both in one shot and I am so glad I fucking did.

This is pure – and I mean fucking pure – Black Metal of the highest order. It is fucking glorious. Majestic. More evil than the Devil with a chainsaw in one hand and a baby in the other, and I fucking loved every second of it.

The EP, Helborn, is just what you would expect from a band with the pedigree that most Black Metal bands would kill for. It is a relentless assualt on the senses that bludgeons you into submission, kicking and screaming as it crawls under your skin, rips away all the bits and pieces of you that it considers worthless, and rewires your entire system to its own satisfaction.

It is an utter barrage, the musical equivalent of being inside Troy while the Achaeans laid siege to the city, but instead of bombarding the walls and trying to breach the gates with giant wooden horses, they are throwing brutal riffs, blast beat drums, and gutteral roars that could level Jericho, and you are more than willing to open the doors and let them in.

Imagine being enchanted by a siren song, if that siren happened to be some incredibally big, hairy men, playing the kind of tunes your parents warned you about, and you might be close to what I mean.

And this continues with their newest release, Throes Of Transformation. If Helborn was the attack that broke down the city gates, then Throes Of Transformation is Helvitnir sitting on the throne, putting their feet up, and watching as the pretenders face the executioners axe.

Yes, it is more polished than its predecessor – and I can already hear the purists screaming sell outs – but it is better for it, as it allows you to drink in the brilliance that is poured directly into your mouth without the worry of it spilling all over your brand new band tee.

I cannot praise Helborn or Throes Of Transformation enough. Brothers and sisters, this is pure Black Metal magic.