There are records that come along every now and again that fill your entire body with something indescribable. It’s something that takes you over and lives inside of you, your brain and heart making a connection to art and practically allowing it to become a part of your DNA. When those moments strike, you know you’ve discovered something that will stick with you for years to come.

“Nocturnal Will” is the fourth record from Swedish crushers Dödsrit, and as good as their music was before, this collection takes them into a new place altogether. This six-track effort explodes with life even in its bleakest moments, and for a record that ends with the line, “Will death still bring me relief, even when it’s by my own hand?” it leaves you feeling surprisingly energized. Sure, there is plenty of darkness and morose feelings on this record, but the band—vocalist/guitarist Christoffer Oster, guitarist/vocalist Georgios Maxoris, bassist Jelle Soolsma, drummer Brendan Duffy—manages to also make this a power source for those downtrodden along with them, mourning what we’ve lost, trying to find a way to blaze a path into the future.

“Irjala” rips open with hyper-melodic riffs, rushing as shrieks crush, Oster howling, “Dangling on a knife’s blade, blinded by hope, dreams disappearing down a pitch black hole.” The storms gush as energetic shrieks rain down, the playing getting your blood racing through your veins, eventually going cold before coming out molten on the other side. The howls destroy as the playing hammers, flooding with guitars as the emotions multiply, glimmering to a finish. “Nocturnal Fire” also dawns with amazing riffs, the playing splattering as the howls pierce, the pace igniting and taking on a bit of a hardcore edge. Screams punish as a cascade of pillowy guitars lather, the energy exploding with catchiness, fanning the open flames. The pace laps and lathers, beaming and burning, the final few minutes a fiery stretch of instrumental drama. “Ember and Ash” is a quick instrumental piece that’s calm and built on rustic acoustics, settling into the fog.

“Utmed Gyllbergens” is an instrumental that launches with glorious leads and the playing layering and lapping, delivering infectious energy. The heartfelt playing gets inside of you, the dual leads glowing, disappearing into an acoustic dash. “As Death Comes Reaping” blasts out of guitars dawning and hanging, atmospheric energy cascading. “Written by my sorrows, carved into my flesh, tales of lost battles, this eulogy to the end,” Oster barks as the pace pulsates, melodies acting like a tidal wave that covers you whole. Later, the guitars take on a classic power metal vibe for a stretch, igniting fires and gushing with enthusiasm, finally landing with a powerful wallop. Closer “Celestial Will” hammers with riffs, shrieks raining down as a melodic fury takes hold. Blood surges as the vocals jab, Oster leveling with, “As long as my wounds bleed, as long as my heart grieves, as long as I live this tragedy, time won’t heal anything.” That’s a punch in the gut. Guitars light up as the pace ignites, speedy riffs toppling, the fluid and colorful pace consuming everything, the final moments acting like a blast to your ribcage.

“Nocturnal Will” is a record that makes you feel every last drop, its hurricane of riffs and emotional vocals creating something that wells up inside of you. Dödsrit always have worn their emotions on the outside of them, but this record is something even bigger, a storming force that takes over your psyche. Even amid the pain, turmoil, and grief expressed on this record that stretches through the ages, there’s such an powerful undercurrent that makes you feel alive and injects you with a force that carries you on its back.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/DODSRIT

To buy the album, go here: https://wolvesofhades.myshopify.com/collections/dodsrit

Or here (U.S.): https://shapeofstormsrecords.bandcamp.com/merch

For more on the label, go here: https://wolvesofhades.myshopify.com/