Masterpiss of Pain
Khold · 2001
37 min · 11 tracks · black metal
An immersive blend of dark melodies and aggressive riffs that captures the essence of Norwegian black metal's raw intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Nattpyre — The opening track sets a haunting tone with its atmospheric intro, driving rhythms, and powerful riffs that encapsulate the album's dark themes.
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Mesterverk av smerte — This title track showcases Khold's ability to blend melody with aggression, featuring compelling shifts in pace that highlight the band's unique style.
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Svart helligdom — With its relentless energy and captivating hooks, this track exemplifies the intricate guitar work that became a hallmark of Khold's sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong melodies amid aggressive riffs but struggles with cohesion due to its closing demo track.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that consistently employ blast beats and tremolo-picked guitar riffs, establishing a relentless pace.
- Several tracks incorporate melodic interludes that contrast with the aggressive instrumentation, creating dynamic shifts in intensity.
- The album closes with a demo version of one of its earlier tracks, which alters the overall flow and pacing compared to the main content.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- compact spells of bleak intensity
- dark melodies with forceful momentum
- a brief demo-era jol reprise
- a half-hour-plus dose of darkness
Maybe skip if you
- want carefree moods and warmth
- prefer each track to feel
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Starting Point — The debut establishes Khold's groove-driven black metal sound and offers a direct entry into their catalog.
- Career context
- Released in 2001, Masterpiss of Pain was Khold's third album, coming after their previous work, Phantom. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their presence in the black metal scene, establishing a distinct sound that set them apart from contemporaries.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Darkthrone· Satyricon· Isengard
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Øyne i arv
The verse shifts to an introspective tone, exploring themes of legacy and darkness without naming specifics, creating an eerie ambiance.
This moment contrasts earlier aggression by embracing vulnerability, offering a rare glimpse into personal reflection amidst the heavy instrumentation.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Nattpyre 3:59
- 2 Den store allianse 3:41
- 3 Norne 2:41
- 4 Svart helligdom 3:25
- 5 Rovnatt 2:44
- 6 Kaldbleke hender 3:14
- 7 Bortvandring 5:00
- 8 Mesterverk av smerte 3:37
- 9 Jol 2:33
- 10 Øyne i arv 3:42
- 11 Jol (Demo 2000) 2:43
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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