This is the best CD Rotting Christ never made. One listen to this disc and there will be no mistaking that these Swedes obviously hold Rotting Christ's "Thy Mighty Contract" in high regard. Hmmm... Swedes playing Greek styled black metal. The idea isn't as bad as it sounds and it's certainly feasible as both scenes place an importance on melody and atmosphere. Sorta original when you think about all the bands at the time doing the Nordic thing. It's all high tempo with the trademark rapid drumming/bass playing rhythm over infectious melodies. An overall air of melancholia is also present. The vocals are tortured and typically delivered via the screaming technique which kinda adds a bit of aggression and harshness to it's atmosphere. Overall a pretty good debut. Warning to black metal diehards: recently they've steered towards a new musical direction (classic heavy metal, and they do it quite well).

© 1998 malphas