TROLL

Troll is the outfit fronted by Stian Arnesen (aka Nagash), The Kovenant mainman and onetime Dimmu Borgir bassist. Here he assumes role of vocalist/guitarist and new album 'Neo-Satanic Supremacy' sees the band reborn following a long period of inactivity between 2001 and 2007. Predominantly a solo project for Nagash in Troll's early days after originally forming in 1992, this latest release sees the Norwegian black metal act as a fully-fledged band. Compositionally, there are no pretensions here as sympho-infused blackened sonics burst forth in each new track, reminiscent of 'Spiritual Black Dimensions'-era Dimmu Borgir (coincidentally the last Dimmu album on which Nagash appeared). Actually, imagine 'Spiritual Black Dimensions' with a far more polished production and you'll be along the right lines of what to expect from 'Neo-Satanic Supremacy'. And that will inevitably engender a cleft between Troll's listening audience, for the black metal genre's dynamics have progressed significantly since 1998 so one might ask what is the value of re-treading old ground in 2010? Well, there are surely those that will revel in such a retro approach, namely fans of said genre whose ears have not been so amenable to Dimmu et al's progression away from their rawer black metal roots. For such people, 'Neo-Satanic Supremacy' will prove to be something of a gem. Musically, it most certainly is, and I cannot fault the album in this sense - there are even passages with melodious links to The Kovenant's 'Nexus Polaris' (Nagash's finest hour, in my opinion) - but, a lack of originality in songwriting approach ultimately proves Troll's rebirth as not one worth getting too excited about. However, to reiterate, if you adore 'Spiritual Black Dimensions' and less enthusiastic about 'Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia' onwards, then 'Neo-Satanic Supremacy' will undoubtedly be the best album you've heard in twelve years.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Napalm Records

Album

NEO-SATANIC SUPREMACY

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

41:14

RELEASE DATE:

29th Jan 2010

TRACK LISTING

1) Til Helvete Med Alt
2) Alt for Satan
3) Ga til Krig
4) Burn the Witch
5) Morkets Skoger
6) Hvor Taken Ligger Sa Trist Og Gra
7) Neo-Satanic Supremacy
8) At the Gates of Hell
9) Smertens Rike
10) Age of Satan

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Norway

"Compositionally, there are no pretensions here as sympho-infused blackened sonics burst forth in each new track, reminiscent of 'Spiritual Black Dimensions'-era Dimmu Borgir..."