Tsjuder: Legion Helvete (2011)

Legion Helvete by Tsjuder, released on October 14, 2011, under Season of Mist, marks the band’s return to the black metal scene after a five-year hiatus. The album features raw and aggressive tracks with dark, blasphemous themes, recorded at dUb Studio and Triple-T Produksjoner. Notably, the track “The Daemon Throne” became a fan favorite, and the album’s blend of black metal with thrash and punk influences showcases Tsjuder’s signature brutal sound.

Track Listing

The Daemon Throne
Fra En Råtten Kiste
Dauðir
Voldsherskeren
Slakt
Black Shadows of Hell
Blod Og Aske
Vårt Helvete

Album length: 39:54

Music genre

Black metal

The Lineup for the Album

Nag (Jan-Erik Romøren): vocals, bass
Draugluin (Halvor Storrøsten): guitars
Anti-Christian (Christian Svendsen): drums

Release Date

October 14, 2011

Record Label

Season of Mist

Recording Date

2010 - 2011

Recording Studio

dUb Studio (Kristiansand, Norway) and Triple-T Produksjoner (Oslo, Norway)

Produced by

Harald Værnor, Endre Kirkesola and Tom Kvålsvoll

Album Themes/Concept

Satanism and Anti-Christianity: True to the roots of black metal, Legion Helvete delves deep into themes of Satanism and anti-Christian sentiments. The lyrics frequently invoke imagery of Satanic rites, blasphemy, and defiance against organized religion. “The Daemon Throne” sets the tone with its explicit references to demonic forces and the rejection of Christian doctrines.

Death and Destruction: The album is imbued with motifs of death, decay, and destruction, reflecting the band’s embrace of the darker aspects of existence. The lyrics often describe scenes of violence, slaughter, and the inevitability of death. “Dauðir” (Dead) and “Slakt” (Slaughter) explicitly focus on themes of death and the act of killing, emphasizing the brutal and unrelenting nature of existence.

Norwegian Mythology and Black Metal Ideology: Tsjuder incorporates elements of Norwegian mythology and the broader ideology of black metal, which often includes a reverence for nature, paganism, and a disdain for modernity and conformity. Songs like “Fra en råtten kiste” (From a Rotten Coffin) and “Blod og aske” (Blood and Ashes) draw on imagery from Norwegian folklore and the nihilistic philosophy that is central to black metal.

Hell and the Underworld: The concept of Hell and the underworld is a recurring theme throughout the album. The lyrics depict vivid and terrifying visions of Hell, eternal torment, and the triumph of darkness over light. “Vårt Helvete” (Our Hell) is a ten-minute epic that explores the depths of Hell, painting a picture of suffering and eternal damnation.

War and Chaos: War, chaos, and the breakdown of order are prevalent themes on the album. The lyrics celebrate chaos as a force of nature and a means of purging the weak and unworthy. “Voldsherskeren” (Violent Ruler) glorifies the power of warlords and the violent upheaval they bring, reflecting the band’s appreciation for raw, unbridled power.

Album Mood

Relentlessly Aggressive: The album’s mood is dominated by a relentless aggression that is a hallmark of traditional black metal. From start to finish, Legion Helvete delivers fast-paced, brutal tracks that maintain a high level of intensity. Songs like “Slakt” and “Voldsherskeren” showcase rapid-fire drumming, fierce guitar riffs, and ferocious vocals that contribute to the album’s aggressive atmosphere.

Dark and Malevolent: The overarching tone of the album is dark and malevolent. The lyrics and music together create an oppressive and sinister atmosphere, evoking images of Hell, demonic forces, and eternal damnation. “The Daemon Throne” and “Vårt Helvete” (Our Hell) are prime examples of tracks that immerse the listener in a world of darkness and evil.

Atmospheric and Haunting: While the album is primarily aggressive, it also has moments that are atmospheric and haunting. These elements provide depth and texture to the music, making the listening experience more immersive. “Blod og Aske” (Blood and Ashes) incorporates eerie guitar tones and haunting vocal deliveries, creating a chilling and atmospheric soundscape.

Raw and Unpolished: The production style of Legion Helvete is raw and unpolished, which enhances its authenticity and adherence to black metal traditions. The rough production adds to the overall abrasive and gritty mood of the album. The entire album maintains this raw sound, but tracks like “Fra en råtten kiste” (From a Rotten Coffin) particularly emphasize this unrefined quality.

Nihilistic and Uncompromising: The mood of the album is also deeply nihilistic and uncompromising. The themes of death, destruction, and anti-religion are delivered with a sense of finality and defiance, reflecting the band’s commitment to the true spirit of black metal. “Dauðir” (Dead) and “Black Shadows of Hell” embody this nihilistic perspective, rejecting any notions of hope or redemption.

Album Trivia

Reunion and Anticipation: After Tsjuder split in 2006, the black metal community felt a significant void. Their unexpected reunion in 2010, followed by the announcement of Legion Helvete, created immense excitement among fans. This album marked their return to the scene and was highly anticipated, signifying a revival of their brutal black metal sound.

Influences and Comparisons: The song “Voldsherskeren” on Legion Helvete is noted for its epic blend of influences from Satyricon’s “Nemesis Divina” and Tsjuder’s own “Desert Northern Hell”. Some listeners even detected elements reminiscent of Metallica’s “Wherever I May Roam”, showcasing Tsjuder’s ability to blend various metal influences into their music.

Recording Process: The album was recorded at dUb Studio in Kristiansand and Triple-T Produksjoner in Oslo. The raw production style was intentionally maintained to preserve the aggressive and unpolished feel that is characteristic of true black metal.

Fan Reactions: The track “The Daemon Throne” generated significant hype and lived up to its expectations, becoming a fan favorite. Despite some criticism of tracks like “Fra En Råtten Kiste” and “Dauðir”, many fans defended these songs, highlighting their intensity and alignment with Tsjuder’s signature style.

Listen or Pass

This album might be for you if you…

Enjoy Raw and Aggressive Black Metal: If you appreciate the raw, unpolished sound that is characteristic of traditional black metal, this album will resonate with you. The production emphasizes a raw and gritty atmosphere that complements the aggressive music.
Are a Fan of Tsjuder’s Previous Work: Fans of Tsjuder’s earlier albums like Desert Northern Hell will find Legion Helvete to be a worthy successor, maintaining the band’s signature brutal and uncompromising style.
Like Fast-Paced, Intense Music: The album is filled with high-energy, fast-paced tracks that feature rapid drumming, fierce guitar riffs, and ferocious vocals. It’s perfect for those who enjoy intense and relentless metal music.
Appreciate Dark and Blasphemous Themes: The lyrical content explores themes of Satanism, anti-Christianity, death, and destruction, making it ideal for listeners who are drawn to dark and blasphemous subject matter.
Value Musical Variety within Black Metal: While staying true to black metal roots, the album incorporates elements of thrash and punk, adding rhythmic diversity and making it appealing to those who enjoy a mix of styles within their metal music.

You might want to pass this one if you…

Prefer Polished Production: If you are looking for clean, polished production in your metal music, Legion Helvete might not meet your expectations. The raw and unrefined sound is a deliberate choice to capture the essence of traditional black metal.
Dislike Extreme Themes: The album’s themes are dark, nihilistic, and blasphemous. If you prefer metal music with less extreme or more positive lyrical content, this album might not be for you.
Seek Melodic or Symphonic Elements: Legion Helvete is focused on aggression and brutality, with little to no melodic or symphonic elements. If you prefer metal that incorporates melody and orchestral arrangements, this album may not suit your tastes.
Find High-Speed Metal Overwhelming: The relentless pace and intensity of the tracks can be overwhelming. If you prefer slower, more varied tempos in your music, you might find this album too intense.