Band:	Troll
Album:	Trolldom
Style:	Industrial black metal
Release date:	December 08, 2023
A review by:	AndyMetalFreak

01. To The Shadows
02. Dominus Infernus
03. Angerboda
04. Ancient Fire
05. The Soil Runs Red
06. The Beast
07. He Who Dwells

Troll finally awaken after a thirteen-year slumber to offer us a glimpse of their light-hearted style of black metal, creating the perfect setting for a fairytale troll kingdom.

Troll are a Norwegian black metal trio led by guitarist/vocalist and former Dimmu Borgir bassist Stian André Arnesen (aka Nagash), formed just over 30 years ago back in 1992 when Nagash was only fourteen at the time. The band formed during a time when the Norwegian black metal scene was at its peak, but unlike their trve kvlt counterparts, Troll took a more unorthodox route, adding industrial and symphonic elements to their style. Perhaps due to their rather unique style and approach, Troll have remained in the shadows of so many groups in the Norwegian black metal scene.

Dropping their full-length debut Drep De Kristneback back in 1996, Troll have since gone on to release five albums in total, including latest offering Trolldom. This latest effort, which follows arguably the band's strongest release thus far in 2010's Neo-Satanic Supremacy, sees two new members, Sturt (bass/vocals) and Tlaloc (guitar/vocals) join founding member Nagash (drums/keyboards/guitar/vocals), and features seven tracks spanning just under 40 minutes.

The album opens with "To The Shadows", a track I'd best describe as comparable to a creepy theatrical soundtrack for some cool 80s horror flick. The beginning of the song features a strikingly eerie sci-fi synth passage, setting a creepy tone, but it's not too long before the blackened tremolo picking and furious blast beats begin, which are accompanied by both blackened shrieks and King Diamond-like theatrical screams/shouts. The instrumentation may not seem out of the ordinary for black metal, but the guitars and rhythm section provide the tempo and base upon which the synth work can really shine. Throughout the album, it's the symphonies/synths and theatrical vocals that tend to stand out above all else; however, these elements substantially overshadow the other instrumentation in the mix.

"Dominus Infernus" continues in the same haunting manner, featuring some striking twinkling keyboard melodies, well-arranged symphonic orchestrations, and rapid melodic tremolos with the usual blast beats in motion. "Angerboda", however, offers a slightly different approach; this track is perhaps the most industrial-sounding on the album, featuring highly effective cyber synths and rapid metallic-sounding drumming. This song is also one of the grooviest on the record, especially as it becomes more blackened in the latter stages while the tempo noticeably increases, before a gentle fading outro softly finishes it off.

"Ancient Fire" is the longest song at just under seven minutes, and is also a highlight for a number of reasons: first, the beginning features dungeon synth elements, giving an atmospheric black touch, unlike anything you've heard so far; then, the riffs and keyboard melodies become all the more groovy, and those groovy melodies will be ringing in your ears uncontrollably throughout; finally, there are some interesting backing vocals that add a lot character. Overall, this is a fun, light-hearted, almost party-like track. "The Soil Runs Red" offers another great example of the band's industrial work, especially during its effective build-up before it again erupts into a furious blackened frenzy. "He Who Dwells" is quite a memorable closer; listeners accustomed to Nagash's previous band Dimmu Borgir will hear glimpses of Enthrone Darkness Triumphant.

Put simply, Trolldom doesn't quite match the standards of the predecessor Neo-Satanic Supremacy, but at the same time it's by no means their weakest effort either. The sugary theatrical symphonic enchanting soundscapes may not appeal to a lot of black metal fans, but for those looking for an entertaining, mostly industrial/synth-based release with character, this could please you.