Year: 2023
Label: Werewolf Records
Rating: 8 / 10
Symphonic Finnish project VARGRAV, having released two fantastic albums in the genre of “EMPEROR worship", became a full-fledged band, strengthening the line-up with Werwolf, Marco Tarvonen (MOONSOOROW, OCTOBER FALLS, THY SERPENT) and Henri Sorvali (the one with MOONSORROW and FINNTROLL, which makes excellent mastering for most of the releases of Werewolf Records).
...and, as it often happens, VARGRAV immediately lost a huge share of its authenticity. It is still symphonic black metal, but now it is very ambitious and diverse, which in fact does not always benefit it. The fact is that the first two VARGRAV albums were solid and dense releases that had a clear goal and rushed towards it at full thrust. They continued what "In The Nightside Eclipse" started - no more, but no less. The Nighthold", in turn, is a completely independent work. It has very high dynamics and an incredibly rich palette, but the goal that used to distinguish VARGRAV is missing. And that's why "The Nighthold" gets a little blurred even against the background of Werewolf Records releases, not to mention the wider range of Finnish metal. We have already heard most of what it offers.
But it should also be noted that the album, like everything that V-Khaoz has touched in recent years, has the highest quality of all components and sounds expensive. This can be understood already by the opening track, performed at the level of a professional orchestral soundtrack for a Hollywood movie. "The Nighthold" offers a continuous stream of enjoyment for your ear and spirit; sound, performance, and compositions - all this stomps into the ground many bands with budgets of hundreds of thousands of dollars and major labels behind their backs. I would describe this album as a metal soundtrack for an epic dark fantasy. Objectively speaking, there is nothing to criticize here, but the old VARGRAV face is closer to me. I felt no desire to purchase "The Nighthold", even with all its unquestionable advantages.
English (UK) 
Крыўская