What makes Arising Realm by Ragnarok notable?

This album is significant for its critique of Christianity, particularly highlighted in tracks like 'The Fall of Christianity', which sparked discussions around censorship and thematic boldness in metal music. 'Arising Realm' received positive reviews from critics, further cementing Ragnarok's influence on the Norwegian black metal scene during the late 90s. When 'Arising Realm' was released in 1997, Ragnarok was still establishing themselves within the black metal scene, following their debut album 'Norrøn' from 1996. This sophomore effort solidified their place in the genre, showcasing a matured sound that expanded upon their initial offerings and contributed to their growing reputation in Norway's underground metal community.

How many songs are on Arising Realm?

Arising Realm has 12 tracks, running approximately 49 minutes.

Arising Realm

Ragnarok · 1997

49 min · 12 tracks · black metal

A relentless onslaught of furious guitar riffs and haunting vocals that encapsulate the bleakness of existence.

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Top tracks — play these first

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God Is Wasted — This track represents the album's raw intensity with its aggressive instrumentation and dark lyrical themes, setting a powerful tone for the record.
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Searching for My Dark Desire — Combining melodic elements with harsh vocals, this song showcases Ragnarok's ability to balance aggression and atmosphere effectively.
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The Fall of Christianity — This track stands out due to its controversial subject matter, pushing boundaries within the black metal genre and inviting listeners to confront uncomfortable themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album combines aggressive instrumentation with thematic depth, solidifying its place in the black metal genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with an atmospheric intro that sets a dark tone, leading into aggressive guitar riffs and rapid drumming that dominate the first half.
Vocals alternate between harsh screams and melodic lines, often layered to create a haunting effect, particularly in tracks like 'Searching for My Dark Desire'.
Several tracks feature tempo shifts, with moments of slower, more contemplative sections contrasting the relentless pace of the faster passages.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Intro 2:21
2 God Is Wasted 4:18
3 Searching for My Dark Desire 4:49
4 En verden av stein 4:00
5 Time Before Birth of Light 5:30
6 My Hate Is His Spirit 3:02
7 My Refuge in Darkness 4:58
8 The Reflection From the Star World Above 4:20
9 The Fall of Christianity 2:38
10 The Predicted Future 7:12
11 For the World I Am Blinded 4:36
12 Outro 2:06

What to play next

Listen next

Diabolical Age

2000

Go back to

Nattferd

1995

Full Ragnarok discography Artists like Ragnarok

black metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata