Svarttjern ("black tarn") are a Norwegian black metal band firmly rooted in the second-wave tradition, featuring members from acts like Carpathian Forest and Ragnarok. This is their sixth album and the first I've heard since discovering their excellent debut, Misanthropic Path of Madness, some years ago. I never really followed up after that, but recently found my way back to them.

They've clearly evolved since their early days. While the opening track "Determination" (following a spoken-word intro) channels the blistering intensity of bands like Tsjuder, 1349, and Immortal, much of the album shifts toward a more mid-paced, thrash-leaning approach. This is especially noticeable on the title track. To their credit, the first half of the album oozes attitude and lands quite well.

However, they lose momentum as the record progresses. The latter half leans into simpler, more punk-infused territory that, while energetic, lacks the bite needed to leave a lasting impact. There are flashes of quality throughout, but little of the relentless ferocity that defined their earlier work. Evolution is fine, but this one doesn't quite hit the mark for me.