The self-described purveyors of "party black metal" found themselves at a crossroads in 2018 after the departure of longtime larynx abuse specialist . The installation of a new lead singer can be fraught with danger, but 's chassis has always been the sublime triple-guitar attack of , , and , which is set to full-on slay for album number four. 's first stint behind the wheel feels less like a sea change and more like a subtle changing of the guard -- has been in the band's orbit for years, even making a vocal appearance on their debut. His ability to replicate 's death rattle establishes some continuity, but his periodic forays into clean singing, often in English, represent enough of a stylistic departure to make feel fresh, even when it's serving up the same ghoulish goulash of pick-slide-happy classic rock and Asgardian black metal as its predecessors. Produced with seismic heft by 's , who helmed the band's first two outings, (which translates to "Discord") commences with a slow-building storm of distortion that gradually reveals a blazing, punk-metal core festooned with -worthy guitarmonies. Album opener "Rogaland" is well placed, offering safe harbor for those concerned that 's absence might steer the good ship into unfamiliar waters -- the singles "Bratebrann" and "Fanden ta dette Hull!" are pretty much instant Valhalla-worthy classics. "Crack of Doom" takes a slight detour into stoner metal, with joined on vocals by , and the taut and snappy "Tevling" flirts with -ish alt-rock, but for the most part, picks right up where 2016's left off and never looks back. ~ James Christopher Monger