Published: January/February 2025 Issue

Canadian doom extreme metallers Norilsk started this career when Outrage A.D. vocalist and musician Nicolas Miquelon and drummer Nick Richer started the band in 2012. They have released four albums; including 2015’s The Idea of North, 2017’s Le Passage des Glaciers, and 2018’s Weepers of the Land, all on Hypnotic Dirge Records. It’s been a long seven years, but they’re back with their new album, Antipole. The eight minute title track opens Antipole and effectively combines doom, death, and black metal into one unique sound. The guitar tone on “D’ombre et de Glace” is totally reminiscent of old Paradise Lost and that continues with the doom laden and expressive “Locus Sanctus.” The steady drum beat of “Nunataks” easily draws the listener into Norilsk’s world. “La Fonte” has an awesome main riff. I feel like this is the band’s best work yet.