Madrigal of the Night (Nattens Madrigal)

Ulver | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 8, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Century Media
• ASIN: B000005HNI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,329 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nattens Madrigal is essential to the true Black Metal fan, December 30, 2004

By 

William "SeelenlanD" (Anchorage, AK (thats ALASKA ppl) USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Madrigal of the Night (Nattens Madrigal) (Audio CD)

I, like others who have reviewed this album, was shocked when I first heard the raw noise that was Hymn I..but yet intrigued at the same time. I took a chance (I was previewing at the local shop) and went ahead and shelled out the $$$ for it. I put it on in the stereo at home and started playing video games or reading or whatever and just kinda let it drift to background noise..thats until the chaotic raw noise gave way to a very nice acoustic interlude...so I stop whatever it was I was doing and just stared at the stereo in amazement...thats when I was utterly blown away by the melody that erupted from the speakers when the distortion kicked back in and I knew right at that moment in Hymn I that I had an amazing album in my collection!

as another few ppl have mentioned, the produiction is intentionally raw for the fact they recorded live in the woods with an 8 track recorder, hence accounting for the sudden stops at the end of songs. the more I got used to it, the more I realized that its actually better than alot of supposedly "kvlt" black metal in the fact you can hear all the instruments quite well..which is kinda rare for this genre of music, needless to say. Ulver is absolutly amazing, and you're really missing out if you dont have at least the first 3 albums in your collection!! Every album had something different to offer...but you cant really say that about the electronic recordings they have since released.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best black metal album ever made, September 24, 2005

By 

Never - See all my reviews

This review is from: Madrigal of the Night (Nattens Madrigal) (Audio CD)

I have owned this CD for a long time, and after all my years of searching for the best black metal, nothing has been able to top this. The production is PERFECT. Yes, you heard me correctly; perfect. For those of you who are already familiar with the buzzing guitar sounds of bands like Darkthrone and Nachtmystium, this is very similar, but even better. It is not so faded away that it takes away from the guitar resonance, and the guitars are always up front, being the main focus of the music.

The music itself is relentless, very melodic, and raw. This is the only album that encapsulates absolutely every emotion a human being can feel; I feel ashamed even attempting to review it. Perhaps the best way I can describe this album is to say that it is the most despairing, yearning, angry, beautiful, and dark/depressing album one can dream about.

Most will not like this album however. I have yet to find a fan as crazy about it as I am; even among true Norwegian black metal fans. It is not a simplistic album, so if you decide to buy it, just be warned that it is very technical, melodic, and complex. You will not love it in only one listen, unless you are me.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is black metal for the ears of the interested., November 30, 2004

By 

Ethan Doyel "IRONfireSTEEL" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Madrigal of the Night (Nattens Madrigal) (Audio CD)

What do I mean with the title of my piece on this album? Simply put, if you've been led to believe this album is a sure fire hit with anyone who digs black metal, I'm afraid you're mistaken. This one has turned off many ears, including the likes of black metal fans. Personally, I can't see why.

Upon getting the album spinning, the first thing you'll hear is a very noisy Hymn 1. This is the essence of old school BM, my friend, and it's been captured to a T. The following 7 Hymns are equally noisy, and chaotic.

Here's where my point comes in. For someone who hears this one with an unmatured ear, it's easy to associate it with the likes of... well, we all have our bands we dislike for their perceived lack of talent.

To make sure Ulver is one of those bands for you, start off at least sampling each song clip provided by Amazon.com. If you like what you hear, or are intrigued enough to shell out the cost of the album, good for you.

What can you expect when you get your hands on this gem? A very consistant sound, yes, but I guaruntee every song will shine with it's own distict features. I know, because whenever I pop it in, I make sure I have at least 50 minutes so I can listen to the album from beginning to end. I love every song for one reason or another, whether it's the dramatic way the album opens up (Hymn 1), or the catchy, never slowing Hymn 6. And wrapping things up, Hymn 8, a solid closer.

Speaking of Hymn 8, I thought I'd point out one aspect of genius about this album aside from the more popular, "The Production is bad on purpose, therefore makes the album." Most of the songs seem to be cut off, or will fade out, while the riffing is still at full speed. Some of it is the "Bad Production," and some of it is to keep the album rolling, I assume. But, unlike all the songs prior to it, that end abruptly, or even prematurely, Hymn 8 will have a very distict, metal worthy ending, that really solidifies the album as one big work of art.

So, in closing, whether you like it or not, that's up to you. Whether you fully embrace the album for what it's worth? Hey, that's still up to you.

Enjoy.