Horna - Nyx (Hymnejä yölle) (2024)

Never fucking around, Horna returns for their 30th anniversary with the crushing “Nyx”. Featuring six tracks and over 45 minutes of neck breaking Black Metal, the band clearly shows why they are the kings of the genre thanks to their punishing sound and firm grasp of the genre. With their usual no holds barred attitude, this release punishes the listener with a barrage of piercing guitar work and furious drumming.

Opening with the blistering first hymn, Shatraug and company unleashed all hell with sinister guitar riffs and Spellgoth’s signature harsh vocals. The band’s ability to inflict the listener with raw aggression, is more punishing thanks to how refined and masterfully executed their music is, as hymns “II” and “III” showcase. The sinister aural created by tracks like “IV” is still one of the band’s best features, as it delivers their message with much more finesse and style than any other band of the genre.

Never shying away from dabbling in faster paced and more aggressive territories, tracks like hymn “V” really show the band’s ability to go from 0 to 100 while weaving back and forth more melodic territories and yet never sounding mellow or repetitive. Closing the release with the purely atmospheric and mystical “Lupaus tulkitsijanaan Hex Inferi”, the band provides some respite while keeping the whole sinister vibe going in this release.

As a whole, “Nyx (Hymnejä yölle)” is one pummeling release that showcases the band’s evolution over the years and shows that in 30 years they have greatly refined their style while improving their technical chops. Heading out on some dates to celebrate the release and the band’s longevity milestone, be sure to check out their intense performances. Overall, If you like Black Metal, you should not have any doubts of getting this release.

Label: World Terror Committee

Release: September 13th, 2024

Genre: Black Metal

Country: Finland