Abrasive Void and Nietzschean Mayhem within Okkultokrati's La Ilden Lyse
The zenith of the Norwegian punk scene has started to begin again with the arrival of Okkultokrati’s latest release La Ilden Lyse (which translates to “Keep the Fire Burning”) under Southern Lord Recordings. Unlike their previous release Raspberry Dawn that possesses a strong emphasis on darkwave/post-punk elements, La Ilden Lyse is more inclined towards crust punk and black metal elements. Their sounds are comparable to their crewmates (of their former label Fysisk Format) Haust and Årabrot, but with more inclination towards existential nihilism and infernal darkness. The album La Ilden Lyse also has elements that envisage how one transcends life and death, endures the constant struggle of life, and coalesces with the void. Nietzschean mayhem at its best, in my opinion. Okkultokrati’s sounds on this album have profound roots of punk, chaotic and aggressive, but also incorporate the rawness that bands like Venom and Motorhead have. The opening track Thelemic Thread features stead...