"Crossing the fiery Path" and "Black Arts lead to Everlasting Sins" were among the releases, along with Rotting Christ's (and some will also mention Varatharon, Zemial, TAL etc.) early material, that put Greek black metal on the map. I read some strange reviews of "Scarlet Evil Witching Black" that never really made the major point clear: was this a good release? "Saxophones" some exclaimed! "Awful cover art"! "Who drew that logo, a five year old"?

Idiots the bunch of them. I happen to enjoy Necromantia's artwork. It fits the music. The logo? Raw and metal, great!

Each song is a unique part of the album, and sticks out in the most detailed way. Much like Necromass' "Abyss Calls Life" (the other definitive example of S.Euro metal at its most GENIUS), this is Southern European metal at its best, loaded with extraordinary atmosphere and melancholy. Vocals are unlike your typical deeper pitched Greek variety, and even sicker and grimmer than the classic one's as shown on "Thy Mighty Contract". Gigantic riffs loaded with speed, the finest keyboards, and an atmosphere beyond almost any other album. Ah, the saxophones, the saxophones! Genius!

Different sounding and more polished then the original stuff (which was equally good in a different way); this is an exceptional album.

© 2000 brand