Vault Review: Covenant — Nexus Polaris

Band: Covenant (The Kovenant)
Album: Nexus Polaris
Genre: Symphonic Black Metal
Country: Norway
Label: Nuclear Blast
Released: March 24th 1998

Introduction

What to write about this album, there are many reviews of it, there are folks that like it, and folks that hate it. But for me, I remember this record as if it were yesterday. I was a young adult when I bought the album and bought it on the same day I bought Quake 2, so those two entirely different things are a set item in my mind. But for those that don’t know the band, here is a small introduction.

Covenant, later known as The Kovenant (which, had to be done due to legal reasons, but for me, it will always be Covenant though, I’m stubborn like that), is a pioneering force in the Norwegian black metal scene. The band was formed in 1993 by Stian Arnesen, known as Nagash, and Amund Svensson, known as Blackheart. Their debut album, “In Times Before the Light” (1997), was a raw and atmospheric black metal record that captured the attention of the underground metal community. Nexus Polaris, their second album, was a different kind of beast. It had a different sound than the previous album, but as far as symphonic black metal albums go, Nexus Polaris is one of the pillar albums that still stand tall even though it’s been 26 years since its release.

Nexus Polaris

The album has 8 tracks (the versions online now on the streaming platforms have 10, but those are remix versions of the new world order). The run time is decent, with 43 minutes and a bit.

Tracklist:

1. The Sulphur Feast
2. Bizarre Cosmic Industries
3. Planetarium
4. The Last of Dragons
5. Bringer of the Sixth Sun
6. Dragonheart
7. Planetary Black Elements
8. Chariots of Thunder

As said, when I listen to this album, I remember it as if it were yesterday when I listened to it for the first time. And my thoughts on it back then haven’t changed, even as it’s been 26 years (almost). The production of the album is great, and it’s mixed very well. There are plenty of bands these days that could take note on how to do it properly with this album (and other older black metal albums, that is).

The fact that everything comes together so very well is also the reason I think why this album can stand it’s ground so many years later. There are not many symphonic black metal bands out there that can hold a candle to this album. The latest Vargrav — The Night Hold (our review) is one of those bands that do a pretty good job, though.

But back to the album itself, from the first moment that the intro of the first track, The Sulpher Feast starts, I’m instantly transported back to 98′. The entire track is just a cosmic delight, from the vocals to the drums, everything just fits. That also goes for the soprano vocals of Sarah Jezebel Deva that all combined to make it a grand cosmic opera.

And, it being a grand cosmic opera, goes for the entire album. The second track, Bizarre Cosmic Industries, continues with the vocals of Sarah combined with the icy vocals of Nagash. His vocals have been a benchmark for me for a very long time, and I’m glad to see that he returned (with his other band Troll), now let’s hope there will be a new album with the Covenant. The band itself tours around some festivals, playing Nexus Polaris in its entirety, so there is a small chance.

Another favorite song is the sixth one, Dragonheart. This track starts a bit more up-tempo and accompanied by Nagash vocals it gets off to a great start, Sarah then chimes in with her powerful vocals to give it that operatic feel.

I could go on and on about each track, but most of us know this album pretty well, and for those that do not know it, just give it a spin and I doubt you will be disappointed. I do recommend listening to it with headphones, that makes it sound even more grand in my opinion.

Conclusion

I have a lot of favorite black metal albums and most of them are from before the 00s, that also goes for this album. If you never heard Nexus Polaris than you really need to check them out, but as said above, most of the readers will probably know the album since it’s pretty well known. For me, this album is a masterclass in symphonic/melodic black metal, but there are plenty of people who don’t like it, which is also fine.

For a rating, I would give this album a 9,5

Excellent: This is a standout album with superb talent and creativity. It’s impactful, memorable, and likely to be celebrated within the black metal genre.

Your thoughts on: Nexus Polaris by Covenant (The Kovenant)

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