Hulder - Verbolgen (2026)

Unleashing one of the most awaited Black Metal releases of 2026, today we have Hulder and their latest opus “Verbolgen”. After their 2024 breakthrough release “Verses in Oath”, Hulder and company return with a more vicious and refined release. Featuring nearly 50-minutes of music, this release is harsh, punishing, and yet very cleanly produced and highly atmospheric. For fans of bands like Primordial, Wolves in the Throne Room, Satyricon, this release will make you think you are listening to Scandinavian BM with hints of Cascadian BM.

Opening with the instrumental “Drie Raven”, the band sets an enigmatic vibe with its strumming guitars and lush instrumentation. However, as soon as “The Crowning” rolls around with its sinister guitar riffs, that old-school Black Metal fury starts flowing alongside crafty atmospherics. The use of dreamy clean vocals alongside a drastic change of pace, create one hell of a sinister introduction to this release, and it’s only the second song.

Clear influences from older (Black Metal-era) Ulver and Satyricon, make tracks like “Thy Binding Oath”, “Verbolgen”, “Den Nacht Zijn Lied”, and “...And We Shall Sing” be both fierce and quite catchy, with some excellent melodic passages blending in with the raw aggression and brutality of the incisive riffs and crushing drumming. These are masterfully contrasted by tracks that slowly creep on you, thanks to additional instruments and atmospherics like “In Blood and in Earth” and the highly melancholic “The Glow of Dawn”.

Overall, Hulder and Necreon create a very vicious BM core that is nicely complemented by session contributions from Keld (additional instruments, keys), and on drums Vapula and Vrolok. However, songs like the blistering “View From Nemeton” have that magical rawness that captivated audiences during the 90’s Black Metal days. “Verbolgen” is certainly a step up from Hulder, and a career defining album as it shows maturity, sheer power, and a uniquely diverse style that makes them stand out from the rest. Be warned, and do not miss this one.

Rating: 97/100