Combining true Norwegian Black Metal with epic Viking tales, BLODØRN calls from Sauda, Norway like a Nøkken from a black lake beckoning us to our doom. On February 27, 2026, the trio released their third full-length album, Det finnes ingen trone, via Solistitium Records. It is 40 minutes of icy Black Metal harkening back to an older tradition, one without glamour and false pretense, just stripped-down black metal. 

If you're looking for something new and innovative, this is not the album to explore. No eclectic Prog or avant garde twists here, just grayscale black metal complete with distorted tremolo, demonic vocals, and discordant melodies. Even the album cover is monochromatic. But the theme . . . well, the theme is blood red, like a Viking's axe. These are tales of battle and conquest, merciless and unbending. Though there is a touch of Atmospheric, it never veers to blackgaze or melancholic remorse. The energy is relentless.

There are few valleys or hills on this album. Some might call it flat; others consistent. My favorite tracks include the opening and title track, "Det finnes ingen trone." It has a punishing tempo which Arild deftly scales with distorted riffs, winding us through several movements. A fairly diverse track, this one. I especially like the build up after the spoken word break.

Another standout track is "Svarte djuv, kast dem ned" which opens with some kind of church organ. And I do mean church organ and not Hammond or synths. This track just takes its time, soaking on the riffs. It's over a minute before vocals are introduced. While the track does seem to ruminate on the same melody, things get interesting near the end when an undercurrent of synths and chanting vocals are layered in. I also really enjoyed the final track, "Vandrar av rang" with Svein busting in on the drums. Though mostly a rampaging track, there are some interesting melodic breaks: One about a quarter of the way in with some isolated tremolo followed by a steady build; another near the end with clean but haunting and bruised vocals.        

BLODØRN stays true to their vision with Det finnes ingen trone, delivering raw, essentialist black metal. You can call it a blast from the past, a return to the basics, or just true black metal. Either way, it's refreshing—like a bitter wind that cuts the flesh and solidifies any liquid into solid ice. The kind that makes it hurt to breathe, but at least you know you're alive because if there is pain there is life. Yeah, like that.