Band: Niveous
EP: Endless Snowfall
Genre: Black Metal
Country: United States of America
Label: Transylvanian Recordings
Released: March 7, 2025
Introduction
Hailing from the American midwest – Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Niveous are a traditional Black Metal band paying homage to the earlier days of the second wave. The group consists of Zygrath (guitar), Vokar (bass/vocals) and Nortaath (drums/vocals). The latter also contributed the album artwork. The trio formed in 2024 and released their debut EP this March.
Endless Snowfall
Tracklist:
- Into the Abyssal Maw
- Glacial Kingdom: Frozen Utopia
- Reign of the Obsidian Eclipse
- …Of Endless Snowfall
I was ill prepared for just how good this band is. Let alone I can’t believe they’re from the American midwest. They very much have a sound that is more closely associated with Scandinavian bands, especially the second wave.
Every note of this album is seething with the frozen desolation and fury that encapsulates those earlier days of black metal. All the while, building upon those already well laid foundations. Without compromising or tarnishing the formula we’ve all come to love and respect from those early days, Niveous incorporates a level of musicianship and a higher quality production (thankfully it doesn’t sound like it was recorded through a toaster). All the while maintaining an unyielding passion and an understanding of what makes traditional Black Metal so great.
Speaking of the production, Endless Snowfall was recorded and mixed at Howl Street Recordings by Shane Hochstetler. I have to say he did an incredible job with this album. It’s crisp and clean and still maintains the aggression and relentlessness one comes to expect from traditional black metal.
Niveous absolutely does not fucking disappoint. I honestly can’t even pick a favorite track. Every single one shines in its own right. The closing track …Of Endless Snowfall I think bares my favorite riffs from the album, but Glacial Kingdom is a close second. I love Zygraths guitar work on this album. It’s not overly technical, but it’s aggressive, and well executed and paired with the musicianship of the other members, it really shines through on certain passages on the album. Collectively, the album is a masterfully crafted love letter to the second wave of black metal.
Conclusion
Fans of black metal with a higher production value that harkens back to the second wave will surely enjoy this band, and I implore you to give this album a spin. I’m beyond impressed with this debut, they fucking crushed it on this one, and I’m eagerly awaiting future offerings from Niveous.
BMZ Rating: 10 out of 10
Support Niveous here: https://niveous-blackmetal.bandcamp.com/album/endless-snowfall
Your thoughts on Niveous – Endless Snowfall
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