Ninkharsag was once the Sumerian Mother Goddess of the Mountains, but in 2025, it is an English Melodic Black Metal band that at times strongly evokes Dissection. Not that this is a problem—after all, who wouldn’t indulge in a bit of Dissection throughout the day? Originally started as a one-man project in 2009, it quickly evolved into a full-fledged band by 2011, and in 2015, their debut album *The Blood of Celestial Kings* was released via Candlelight Records. On that album, particularly in the cover art, the Sumerian influences were evident. However, with its successor, *The Dread March of Solemn Gods* (2021), these gave way to snow, ice, and a more European landscape. On this EP as well, we remain in the North, where a dragon emerges, confronted by four sword-wielding men attempting to force it to its knees—or at least, they try.
Musically, we’re looking at a solid display of Melodic Black Metal, heavily inspired by Dissection, yet infused with the ferocity of Watain and the sheer intensity of Dark Funeral. The album is built around razor-sharp guitar riffs that slice through the mix with precision, a thunderous rhythm section that thrives on relentless blast beats and dynamic tempo shifts, and a vocalist who delivers his lines with unrestrained power and conviction.
What sets this album apart is how effortlessly it balances melody and aggression. The icy, melodic passages intertwine with blistering speed and ferocity, creating a soundscape that is both atmospheric and punishing. There’s an undeniable sense of grandeur beneath the chaos, a feeling that every riff, every drum fill, and every vocal line is placed with purpose. If that’s not a sign of a band at the peak of its craft, then I don’t know what is.
Tracks like The Serpent of the Void and Beneath the Cloak of Nightfall instantly evoke that unmistakable ’90s Black Metal atmosphere. But is it really necessary to keep reaching back to that era? Perhaps not. Yet Ninkharsag does exactly that, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. In fact, it’s more than welcome. They channel that raw, unfiltered energy of the past while ensuring their sound is anything but outdated.
There’s a distinct 2025 touch layered over their compositions, a modern edge that enhances rather than dilutes their old-school influences. The sheer ferocity with which the band delivers each track feels both nostalgic and entirely contemporary—unyielding, merciless, and devoid of even the faintest glimmer of hope. There is no way back, only forward, into the abyss they carve with every note.
An absolute must-listen for anyone craving that classic ’90s Melodic Black Metal sound without having to dig out the old records. Ninkharsag captures the essence of the era with precision and passion while keeping it fresh and relevant. A perfect blend of nostalgia and modern ferocity—this is Black Metal done right.
87/100
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