SETHERIAL - Lords Of The Nightrealm (CD Jewel Case)
Sweden | Black
Detailed Description
Setherial’s Lords of the Nightrealm is a blazing monument to Swedish black metal’s more ferocious, warlike side. Released in 1998, this second full-length effort sees the band refining their already punishing sound into something even more relentless, cold, and commanding. It’s a perfect balance of militaristic precision and raw atmosphere, propelled by tremolo-picked riffing, unyielding blast beats, and a searing vocal performance that embodies the album’s infernal grandeur.
Rather than following the more melodic paths taken by some of their Swedish contemporaries, Setherial plunge headlong into chaos and darkness, channeling the same burning intensity found in early Marduk or Dark Funeral. But what sets Lords of the Nightrealm apart is its attention to structure—beneath the storm of aggression lie memorable riffs, dynamic shifts, and a cohesive vision that never lets up across the album’s runtime.
From the opening assault of “The Bringer of Chaos” to the ominous, imperial march of the title track, Setherial summon an atmosphere steeped in nocturnal might and satanic defiance. The production is sharp and icy, capturing every blast and shriek without sacrificing the rawness that defines the genre. Lords of the Nightrealm remains one of the most underrated yet potent examples of late '90s Swedish black metal—a furious, focused, and undeniably powerful album that still stands tall in Setherial’s discography.
