Shagor – Lyksalver

Band: Shagor
Title: Lyksalver
Label: Vendetta Records
Release date: March 8th, 2025
Country: The Netherlands
Format reviewed: LP

I’m not sure what’s going on, but 2025 is slowly turning into the year of massive Dutch releases. At the very end of 2024, we got the new Asgrauw album, followed in January by the latest records from Schavot and Grafjammer each one an absolute masterpiece. And as if that weren’t enough to completely wreck our emotional state, Shagor now comes forward with their album Lyksalver.

Nearly five years ago, their debut Sotteklugt made a huge impact what an album that was! After five years and several side projects, including the brilliant Suol and Weerzin, the band has picked up the pen once again. In the meantime, their label, Babylon Doom Cult, ceased operations, forcing them to find a new home. They eventually landed at the German label Vendetta Records, where they undoubtedly have a promising future ahead.

This time, the stunning artwork comes from the pen of Zwolle-based tattoo artist Jesse Bollen, and it truly is a small masterpiece. The album is available in two vinyl editions, with the Oxblood version looking particularly sick. Additionally, Lyksalver is available on cassette (on Swarte Yssel) and in digipack format.

With only five tracks but a total runtime of 45:44 minutes, it’s clear that the guys from Shagor aren’t into writing short songs. Their domain lies in an atmospheric approach, rich with multiple layers and long, drawn-out guitar riffs. This, combined with furious blast beat sections and outstanding vocal arrangements seamlessly blending clean singing with intense screams is simply sublime.

After the excellent Afschynsel, we move straight into Per Nefel, which at times hints at some folk influences but don’t worry, these are just brief, subtle moments. The relentless barrage of riffs ensures there’s never a dull moment. The interplay between the multiple layers of guitar riffs makes this a highly dynamic track, where repeated listens constantly reveal new details.

Next up is Foltertogt, and despite the name, experiencing this track is anything but torture. It opens at a midtempo pace, once again showcasing that melodic interplay between the lead guitars, before ramping up the speed significantly. Crafting long songs at such high tempos without them becoming repetitive is a rare skill one that Shagor has truly mastered.

With Hersielingh, we arrive at the longest track on the album. Once again, it drags us deep into the abyss and leaves us stranded in the vast nothingness. The combination of haunting female vocals makes it, just like Foltertogt, an outstanding piece.

The closing track, Sluymerval, showcases a different side of Shagor. It opens with a calm, dreamy intro before exploding into sheer chaos once again. What an absolute powerhouse of a song!

If Lyksalver is a sign of what the Dutch scene has in store for us this year, I predict a glorious year for Dutch Black Metal a scene that may be small but consistently delivers top-tier quality and absolutely deserves a prominent place on the global map. And I’m not just saying this as a Dutchman if something is bad, I’ll call it out but as a Black Metal fan.

Over the past few years, the Dutch scene has proven that, despite many bands choosing to sing in their native language, they are in no way inferior to the so-called “important” Black Metal countries. It’s a small scene with a strong eye for detail, solid ideas, and an impressive number of outstanding bands. Well done, guys. 9/10 by Consanguineus

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