Enochian Crescent
Babalon Patrale De Telocvovim
[Avantgarde]


I haven't heard the debut CD from these finnish bastards, but this EP is quite an excellent release. Nothing earth shatteringly original mind you, but a very worthwhile listen. Quick-paced & solid drumming, thick chainsaw guitars, effective supporting bass, and really well done screechy grim vocals - all the ingredients needed to produce something actually worth listening to (there are also moments in which synth is used, but thankfully it's done very sparingly and in good taste, much like the bands use of cleaner background vocals here and there). The songs are mostly mid-paced with quick drums behind them (making the material sound faster than it actually is), and is relatively melodic (mostly due to some overlaying of lead guitar lines), yet it still retains that harshness that's needed to keep this from becoming Finland's answer to all those *oh* so exciting Swedish melodic "black metal" bands. There's even a really well done cover version of Bathory's "Thirteen Candles".

Overall, A worthwhile purchase for those needing a quick black metal fix (and who don't particularly care about originality)...


© 1999 chorazaim