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Black metal enthusiasts and dabblers alike may be familiar with Norway's Morten "Teloch" Iversen. He replaced Rune Eriksen in Mayhem, and wrote most of the guitar tracks in that band's last album, Esoteric Warfare. In addition, he laid much of the bass and some guitar down for Myrkur's M album, after being invited to the project by his longtime collaborator Kristoffer "Garm" Rygg of Ulver.

Iversen's real passion, though, is Nidingr. Originally his solo project in 1992, Nidingr showcases his skill at slick and sinister guitar riffs, which only color the edges of Myrkur and Mayhem. Punchy and memorable, Nidingr's music stands up with the best work of more commercial touring groups such as Behemoth and Watain. Iversen's vocalist, Sgt. Estrella, packs more character into his singing than the frontmen of those projects, though. On the band's last album, Greatest of Deceivers, he recorded one of the most distinctive and memorable vocal performances of 2012.

After a four year break Nidingr are about to release their follow-up, The High Heat Licks Agaisnt Heaven, which doubles down on the moshy and anthemic songs of its predecessors ("Hangaguð", "On Dead Body Shore") and adds a few more progressive twists to the mix as well, such as the trip-hop twisted "Gleipnir". "Ash Yggdrasil" splits the difference between both worlds, with more melody on the whole than Nidingr usually employs, as well as some of the memorable-as-hell riffs that pour out of Iversen so long as he's not trying to fulfill someone else's vision. Rygg sings on the first part of the track, but he doesn't take the track over the way he often does. "Ash Yggdrasil" plays to all of Nidingr's numerous strengths.

Teloch had this to say about the track.

"Garm of Ulver have become a permanent guest artist on the latest Nidingr albums. Ash Yggdrasil was made with the interaction between Garm & Estrella Grasa in mind. A great & atmospheric song."

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The High Heat Licks Against Heaven drops on February 10 via Season of Mist. Follow Nidingr on Facebook.

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