I've now listened to every available Ildjarn recording (seriously, who would bother tracking down a rehearsal? To hear the band 'stripped down'? Ha!), and have enjoyed each recording in moderation. I have not been able to sit through the 50-70 minute aural fuck-fest he provides on most of the releases though. Until now that is! This is some of the best EXTREMELY raw black metal ever recorded. And he even tosses on a few synth pieces ala 'Landscapes' (yet darker)

There's no track listing (just titles for the four categories the album is split up into), but there's some real standout tracks. 'I' for example has Ildjarn slapping his drumsticks together while the guitars keep going (metal!). 'III' sounding more like Immortal with sloppy drumming of course. 'IV' which is a tad deeper than previous hate dripping stuff, and 'VI' which has a trance like folk riff. And some tracks get repeated later on without vocals?!

After those XV enjoyable tracks, we are treated to an Ildjarn style keyboard piece. Simple, raw, and EVIL. It's really good actually, and this is from someone who can't stand keyboard music. Just a few notes, a little distorted ambience...great! 'Interchange' (XVII) is then a drum and guitar piece, followed by the final track 'Midnight Strength, Black Anger (Hate Meditation 2)' which is a simpler 'Black Anger (Hate Meditation I)'.

Without a doubt my favorite Ildjarn recording, and a good raw black metal purchase...

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