#AlbumReview: Nachtheem – Waan van de leegte
Band: Nachtheem
Album: Waan van de leegte
Label: Terratur Possessions
Release date: June 5th 2026
Country: The Netherlands
Format reviewed: High-Quality Digital Recording
#AlbumReview: Nachtheem – Waan van de leegte via Terratur Possessions by Ioana
In an attempt to finally start catching up properly to the latest manifestations within the underground, I figured I would start digging in specific places, namely two of my favourite labels, Norma Evangelium Diaboli and, of course, Terratur Possessions. The latest output bearing the mark of the Norwegian powerhouse is Nachtheem’s debut full-length album, Waan van de leegte. Given my unfamiliarity with their previous material, my first indicator as to what I was getting myself into was, of course, the album cover. Having initially believed it to be an Odilon Redon painting (the name of the piece is “Mond” (“moon” in English), and it was actually made by Hans Thoma), it intrigued me right off the bat. Needless to say, by that point I was genuinely curious whether the music itself would live up to the atmosphere of said artwork.
It is also worth noting that, as of the past year, I have lost a little bit of the interest I used to have in regards to atmospheric black metal. So, when I realized that I had found myself with an atmospheric black metal record, my hopes weren’t exactly sure towards what to point towards. By all I knew, it could be virtually anything. All that being said, the soundscape I ended up encountering was far from a mediocre reverb-drenched attempt at the genre. There is a noticeable influence from fellow countrymen Urfaust, specifically their more meditative moments, at least to my ears, and the long tracks allow for the moods corresponding to each one of them to become immersive, without losing momentum.
Perhaps the simplest way to describe this album is “nocturnal and airy”. The production is on the raw side, but in such a way that it gives the music a fuzzy, almost dreamlike quality, instead of amplifying the harsher elements. The guitars and vocals are at the front row of the mix, with the drums fading slightly into the background. The synths also further bring out the airiness of the album, at times feeling as if they float throughout the music. By the second track, it is obvious for everyone listening that this is an album you immerse yourself into, not one that tries to hit you in the chest. It is also worth noting that the clean vocals featured on “Waan wan de leegte” have a very interesting ritualistic quality, while also maintaining an open, bright-ish sound that pairs perfectly with the instrumental.
Truth being told, I had a bit of trouble putting my finger on this album, firstly because it took me several listens to understand how it works, secondly because it’s a rather far cry from my musical direction lately, and finally, because this is the first review I am writing after a rather significant break. For all fans of slow, immersive black metal with, as the title of the album artwork and the musical arrangements would suggest, “a touch of moonlight”, this is an album I can confidently recommend. As for my case, I’d rather wait until my listening habits finally reorganize, and I will be finally capable of connecting with this album the way it deserves. 9/10
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9/10 Epic Storm
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