If the first months of 2025 are anything to go by, this year is shaping up to be an absolute powerhouse for Dutch black metal. The tail end of 2024 saw the release of a new Asgrauw album, quickly followed in January by stellar new records from Schavot and Grafjammer. Just as we were still reeling from those, Shagor has now returned with Lyksalver—and what a return it is.
Nearly five years have passed since their debut Sotteklugt made a profound impact on the scene. In that time, the band explored side projects like Suol and Weerzin, further expanding their creative reach. Meanwhile, the closure of their original label, Babylon Doom Cult, meant they had to find a new home. That search led them to the German label Vendetta Records, where they now stand poised for an exciting new chapter.
Visually, Lyksalver is stunning. The album artwork, crafted by Zwolle-based tattoo artist Jesse Bollen, is nothing short of a masterpiece. The release comes in two vinyl editions—including a particularly striking Oxblood version—as well as on cassette (via Swarte Yssel) and digipack.
Clocking in at 45:44 minutes over just five tracks, Lyksalver isn’t about brevity—it’s about immersion. Shagor thrives in long-form, atmospheric compositions, where layered, drawn-out guitar riffs intertwine with relentless blast beats and some of the finest vocal arrangements in the genre. The blend of haunting clean vocals and tortured screams creates a depth that’s both unsettling and mesmerizing.
The journey begins with the excellent Afschynsel, setting the tone before plunging into Per Nefel. Here, fleeting folk influences emerge, though never overstaying their welcome. Instead, waves of intricate guitar work dominate, making each listen a discovery of new textures and hidden details.
Foltertogt follows, its name suggesting torment, yet the experience is anything but. Beginning at a steady mid-tempo, the song steadily builds until the floodgates open, unleashing a barrage of speed and melody. Shagor’s ability to maintain intensity and variation over lengthy compositions is nothing short of remarkable.
At nearly 12 minutes, Hersielingh is the album’s towering centerpiece, dragging the listener into a vast, abyssal soundscape. The inclusion of spectral female vocals adds a ghostly presence, further elevating the track’s haunting atmosphere.
Closing the album, Sluymerval introduces a different side of Shagor. A tranquil, almost dreamlike intro lulls the listener in—only to be shattered by an eruption of chaos. It’s an exhilarating finale, encapsulating everything that makes Lyksalver such a force to be reckoned with.
If this album is any indication of what the Dutch black metal scene has in store for 2025, we’re in for an extraordinary year. While the scene remains relatively small, its quality is undeniable. Dutch black metal has long proven itself capable of standing alongside the genre’s traditional powerhouses, and Lyksalver only reinforces that fact. Shagor has delivered an album that is immersive, dynamic, and utterly spellbinding—a must-listen for fans of atmospheric black metal.
95/100
Shagor:
Facebook
Instagram
Bandcamp
Swarte Yssel:
Website
Vendetta Records:
Website