Review by Saxy S for Hulder - Verbolgen (2026)

Hulder return with their third studio album Velbolgen. I discovered Hulder back in 2024 by accident with their album Verses in Oath and I was severely underwhelmed. It was album that tried to be something more than a black metal album, but couldn't get out of its own way and ended up just sounding like another black metal album. Their return in 2026 does not have that problem in such a grandiose scale as they did before. Verbolgen has some real energy and passion drawn out of it through its more folk roots. When the riffing on "The Crowning" began I could already hear the massive improvements; from the well textured guitars, good bass and percussion that was not overbearing. 

I enjoyed the thrashier riffing on "Verbolgen" and the slow, but effective crescendo on "In Blood And In Earth". The vocals of special mention show a great range, both technically and emotionally. Many of the albums (relatively) shorter songs are strong compositions since they do not try to baton pass melodic ideas such as on "In Blood And In Earth", a much better example shows up on "...And We Shall Sing" and "View From Nemeton". I think that Verbolgen is a great improvement from the last record, but I still feel its is too one dimensional. Perhaps those more experienced with the black metal genre will appreciate this more than myself.

Best Songs: Thy Blinding Oath, In Blood And In Earth, View From Nemeton, ...And We Shall Sing

For Fans Of: Moonsorrow, Aeternus, early Ulver