Black Metal is one of the Metal genres that enables the greatest form of musical experimentalisms. Maybe due its constant mutating nature, we can find many good experimental bands, with very good works. In the case of the Norwegian quartet SLAGMAUR, they are indeed different, as we can hear on their third album "Thill Smitts Terror".

Somber, sinister and complex, the nature of their musical work goes far beyond the experimentalisms used before on the style. It is filled with chaotic orchestral parts from keyboards, harsh guitars and a solid work from bass guitar and drums on the rhythmic session. The vocals change styles many times, from Gregorian chants to shrieked tunes and some agonizing screams. It's truly hard to assimilate, but this is their greatest value, because this complexity gives the band energy and personality. We can feel some theatrical elements entering their complex and fascinating musical work as well.

The sound quality could be better than the presented on the album. There are moments when the sound is truly becoming confuse, and of course a better work could be done on the mixing (the guitars are sounding a bit lower than the other instruments and with hollow tunes). It's an important point for the band in the future to choose a good producer to find the ideal sound for their work.

But musically, they are great. Yes, because it seems like a sinister black mass, where the songs are hymns. You will find how they are excellent on moments of the sinister tempos of "The Drummer of Tedworth" (a morbid song with slow tempos, where the vocals shows a good range of tunes), the fine guitar arrangements heard on the bitter "Werewolf" (along with low tunes grunts), some Doom Metal elements on "Bestemor Sang Djevelord" (hear the beginning and you'll understand what I mean), the long and morbid atmosphere that fills "Hekeskritt Og Djevelritt" (here the guitars are presenting very good tunes, with nasty riffs, great vocals and solid rhythmic session, and even some female voices can be heard), and the infernal Gregorian chants and nasty work from vocals, bass guitar and drums on "Hansel Unt Gretel" (a sinister song with an amazing depressive feeling).

Adjusting the production, their next album will be a classic. But for now, "Thill Smitts Terror" is amazing.