Slagmaur - Hulders Ritual (2026)

If the great anticipation of the band’s first full-length release in nine years wasn’t enough, the band created all kinds of additional hype with their masterfully executed missing persons faux report in late 2025. For the uninitiated, Slagmaur is one of the truly weirdest and more mysterious Avant-garde Black Metal outfits to ever come out of Norway, with their intense live performances and insane music. With all the hype around “Hulders Ritual”, we can confirm that the hype is real as this release propels the band to the next level.

Opening with the fierce “Ritual Dogs”, we quickly get that raw and cavernous Norwegian Black Metal sound of yesteryears alongside some funky atmospherics. That initial impression quickly evolves into the buzzsawing guitars of “Wildkatze”, which is less raw and more typical Slagmaur, repetitive, crafty and intense. Eliciting a visceral reaction, the opening riffs of “Huldergeist” are brutal and haunting, creating a truly immersive and ravaging experience.

Descending deeper into madness, the haunting atmospherics of “Hexen Herjer” create a very unsettling and theatrical vibe alongside the distorted guitars. All of this quickly transitions into ritualistic drumming alongside playful piano arrangements and just weird enough harsh singing. This is the kind of magic that Slagmaur creates, with a very simple concept and core, they craft some truly haunting and creepy tunes. The perfect example is the weird and playful “Warlok” and its haunting vocal/choir arrangements alongside their signature distorted guitars.

Closing with the fierce “Rathkings”, the band has completely caught us by surprise again and unleashes their insanity with ease. As a whole, “Hulders Ritual” is one of those unsettling releases that the more you listen to, the more you enjoy, thanks to all kinds of crafty details that slowly unravel with more listens. While most bands stay within their comfort zone, Slagmaur redefines this concept by keeping things weird, punishing, and always showcasing traces of insanity.

Rating: 97/100