KAMPFAR are a band that need very little in the way of introduction. Since their formation in 1994, they have championed the Pagan Black Metal genre and established themselves as one of the most consistent and interesting acts of the Norwegian Black Metal scene. Their latest, seventh record, "Profan", is yet another excellent piece of fierce, powerful Black Metal that belies the talent and pedigree of the band that made it.

"Gloria Ablaze", the albums opening offering, is a burst of ferocious, bestial guitar work and frenetic drumming, accompanied by visceral shrieks and a dark, foreboding atmosphere that leads to a song that sounds full and aggressive. It's a fantastic song, and serves as a really powerful statement on which to build the rest of the record. Likewise, "Profanum" jumps out speakers at a charge, launching into a sharp, acerbic slab of Black Metal with lots of inspired guitar lines and vocals that have a strong, epic quality to them. The third track on the record, "Icons", is another speed-driven, powerful affair, peppered with chanted vocals amongst Dolks sharper, more acidic lead vocal lines, a contrast that works really well and makes this track have a much grander edge to it. "Skavank" really embodies the essence of what Pagan Black Metal should sound like; it's atmospheric, epic, and has plenty of great, vicious sounding riffs with a noticeable Rock influence in their sound and tone, rhythmic drumming and varied, impassioned vocals. "Daimon", with its dark, eerie opening keyboard motif, is one of the best tracks on the whole record. It has an incredibly grandiose, atmosphere laden sound, characterised initially by deep, chanted vocals and thick, confident riffs.

Overall, it's an outstanding song that sticks in your head and a potential fan favourite for the future. "Pole in the Ground" stands as the albums most ferocious, aggressive track. It has all the hallmarks of a great Black Metal song; hideous, ghoulish screams, juggernaut drumming and impressive, racing guitar lines filled with plenty of hooks. The music is chaotic, fierce and brilliant, and really acts as the perfect climactic moment of this album before "Tornekratt", the final song on here begins; this tracks is far more dark and brooding than the one that came before it, built around mid tempo, minor chords. It's a very solid track that closes the album on a high note, leaving the listener wanting more.

This is a wonderful album with lots of great music on all fronts. It's all the more impressive when you consider that this record has been released less than two years after "Djevelmakt" was released. This album is a testament to the level of talent and creativity that KAMPFAR exude, and stands as yet another great record from an established institution within the Black Metal scene.