Swedish band NYMF was formed back in 2007 by Niklas Sjöberg and Kristofer Stjernquist, and released their self-titled debut album three years later. Following a three year long wait they returned with their second disc “From the Dark” in the summer of 2013, released through Swedish label Transubstans Records just like their first one.
The vision of Nymf apparently is to create music that is an amalgam of doom metal, stoner rock and heavy metal. A vision that appears to have been ever so slightly expanded based on the contents of this production. The band does alternate between a number of different types of metal, and we’re treated to a fair share of stoner rock and doom metal sequences indeed. Some passages do bear a closer resemblance to traditional metal as well, but we’re also treated to details with a closer resemblance to thrash metal, as well as the occasional traces of the more extreme varieties. Nothing dramatic I might add, but some guitar details that brings bands like Celtic Frost to mind, and a couple of instances of growling.
First and foremost this is an album that moves fairly smoothly between the Black Sabbath directly or indirectly influences styles and aggressive metal with a closer resemblance to thrash however. A discreet and dampened production sees to it that the mood and atmosphere stays recognizable throughout these shifts. The thrash metal sequences appears more compact in delivery, the doom metal excursions are suitably heavy and massive while the stoner rock details are in between those in terms of impact. Specific references are hard to point towards, but namedropping Queens of the Stone Age and Black Sabbath should be fairly safe for the types of music these bands are most closely associated with, especially the latter. Nymf also showcase a gentler side on occasion, with elegant plucked guitar details an effective contrast to the otherwise relentless barrages of riffs of different levels of pace and intensity.
Strong and distinct bass lines and drum patterns forms a solid foundation for everything else here, as expected by a metal band, and while vocalist Sjöberg doesn’t come quite to his right when the band takes on the gentler landscapes his repertoire of snarling, talk-like delivery and Ozzy-like singing voice suits the material well. While some of the songs does get to be a bit too uniform in sound and style as this disc unfolds there’s plenty to enjoy here, personally I’d recommend Black Core as the standout track to give an initial listen to.
All in all a fine slab of dark toned metal alternating between compact aggression and massive, majestic pounding riffs, of the kind that should find favor amongst fans of aforementioned Queens of the Stone Age, Black Sabbath and, arguably, Metallica. Those who enjoy listening to all three of those bands obviously a likely key audience.
My rating: 75/100
