There is definitely something to be said about being in the right place at the right time. I heard this album shortly after its release in 2015 but I have to say I enjoyed it way more today than then. Recently I felt sort of jaded by some bands and their mediocre quasi- Black Metal that made me question the genre's future. There's a lot I like about Black-gaze and other similar sub genres and a continued progression definitely needs this innovation but when the tried and trusted formula of old is done right its hard to beat. And that's exactly what "Our Victory Is Eternal" is.

Originally, I found NIADH because of their Irish sounding name, which is 'Champion' in Gaelige. It wasn't until I investigated them this time around that I found out they were actually from Colombia (I am intrigued to find out why they chose this name or if it's something else in a different language). Formed in 2012 they did a few split eps before recording this, their debut album. And the one thing I distinctly remember from before was the intro, "Endless Victory", because it's still one of the best I've heard on any album, ever. Its atmosphere sets the tone for the record perfectly and once "All Evil Spirits Rise" kicks in we are pretty sure of what to expect. There are definite similarities here to JUDAS ISCARIOT or HORNA but there are moments that remind me of early DISSECTION and DARKTHRONE also. Each track is a dark and filthy beast punctuated by clever time changes and alternating harsh and tortured vocals. The only downside is the production which could have been tidied up a lot more without affecting the unpolished feel they were going for; the levels just aren't right at times and more could have been done to sync the drumming to help with the flow. These might seem strange criticisms on a Black Metal album, but they don't add anything to the experience if they have been done purposely. That aside, though, I'm glad I've been reminded of this fine album, warts and all.

There's a quote in Michael Moynihan's brilliant book "Lords of Chaos" that says that Black Metal "...especially left to its own devices and relegated to independent labels run by the fans themselves, has allowed Metal's most antisocial and aggressive tendencies to develop unburdened by any system of moral checks and balances...", and in this we might get back to the essence of what this genre is. Be it in Norway, here in Ireland or even Columbia, regardless of climate or culture, musicians will be drawn to make the most primitive and harsh style of this genre at its most basic and brilliant best when these conditions are nurtured. And we can encourage this "seditionis cum musica" by buying their albums and merchandise and supporting these smaller labels; because that's what has happened here, and something I hope continues to happen all over the world, for the good of the genre. Sometimes less is definitely more.