No one is ever likely to lobby a false advertising claim against the Black Metal trio, NIGRUM. At least not for their latest album. “Blood Worship Extremism,” released on 11/22/24 via Iron Bonehead Productions. It delivers exactly what it promises: blood worship extremism—all wrapped up in lo-fi, brutal FW Black Metal.

NIGRUM originated in 2015 in Mexico and later moved to Sweden. They have two EPs and two full-length studio albums under their belt. They also have enough former members to put together about three more trios. “Blood Worship Extremism” comprises eight tracks, including two Ambient interludes. I actually quite liked them, so no complaints here. Black Metal has always had strong kindred with Atmospheric.

While the album is fairly consistent in its delivery, there are a few nuances that stood out. For me this comes late in the album with “Splendor of the Old World.” This track weighs in at north of six minutes and takes us through multiple movements. I’m inclined to call it complex; others might call it unfocused. Either way, I quite liked where it took me. The sonic terrain is mostly brutal but there is curious break at the 3:45 mark where everything gets deconstructed and then reformed again in a harmonic but heavy assault.

As noted, I also liked the two Atmospheric interludes: “Visions in the Dark” and “Beneath Turquoise Waters.” They add some much-needed texture to the album and are actually quite different from one another—one is synth-laden; the other distortion and feedback. The final track, “Murderer Dweller” is also a standout. For the first five and half minutes it’s a complete ripper. For the last two minutes, it draws back into that cosmic Ambient space they explored with the two interludes. Interesting mix.  

Altogether, NIGRUM doesn’t quite set themselves apart from the dark ocean of Black Metal out there at the moment, but they are in good company. Good, consistent FWBM, this one.