Another band that claims to be ‘the masters of Norwegian Black Metal’: Svartahrid. If you have read any of my previous reviews, you will know that doesn’t excite me one little bit anymore. Worse part is that the members of Svartahrid consider themselves to be ‘Black Metal specialists’. Please pass me a bucket. Nonetheless, I tried to overcome my prejudice and gave them a chance when I listened to their fourth full length Malicious Pride.

To be completely honest with you, I had never heard of Svartahrid before. But then again, if I did, I probably wouldn’t have stepped forward to review their newest album. The record consists of nine tracks, which seem to last for ages and ages. I can hardly distinguish one track from the other for they all sound alike and the clichés of the songs bore me to death. By clichés I don’t just mean the lyrics, but also the musical structure of each and every track.

Okay I must admit, after listening the album a couple of times (I fell asleep the first round) I do notice some catchy melodies and every now and then I hear a good riff. The vocals aren’t worth mentioning, but the drums are quite alright with plenty of diversity throughout the album. Still, no matter how hard I try to find something positive to say about Malicious Pride, there’s no atmosphere whatsoever. It’s more the kind of black metal you put into your stereo at a very loud volume when you are about to break down a wall and you need to get pissed off in order to find the strength to get through the concrete.