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 steady-paced drum beats and abrasive transgressions, while the second one, Grimoire Luciferian Dream, has a Kvelertak-esque black-’n-roll vibe and is strong on soaring vocals. Loathe Forever opens with tranquil synths and vague whispers, then proceeded by thrashing crusty elements. Freezing Vortex Death Dreamer presents slow-paced darkness that haunts. Cold and Cruel has some similarities with Darkthrone’s crust punk material; it’s raw and menacing. Kiss of Death remains impeccable with its dynamic-sounding riffs, and Mother Superior possesses a touch of black metal-esque tones similar to the likes of Taake and Dark Funeral. Lunatics - Mondsüchtig has profoundly anthemic vibes and the closing track The Dying Grass Moon is of spacey kind of resonances.

Okkultokrati has always been the kind of dissonant cacophony that blasts out in the middle of the existential hours inside your head where you question about omnipotent beings and multiverses. Much sentient and keeping the ignition of fires intact, Okkultokrati presents thrashing vehement sounds that buzz like chainsaw and are guaranteed to blow your mind as you contemplate about the inherent meanings of life and Camus’ absurdism. Vibes of an ancient cult in the infernal hellscape are strongly present too. It is a point of insurrection, it is a rebellion against the concept of time and space that transcends the nine realms. My verdict is that La Ilden Lyse remains superior.