This album benefited from a deeper production than it's predecessor, 'History of a Time to Come'. Musically they stand on similar ground, although several of the songs here are far heavier like "The Clerical Conspiracy" and "Do Dark Horses Dream of Nightmares?". There are a pair of wonderful acoustic jingles which begin and end the album, both versed in Medieval classicism, but neither as striking as the dirge-like acoustic track "Advent of Insanity", in which Martin Walkyier's ghostlike crooning wafts hauntingly over a background of sampled ship wood, creaking and shifting over ocean turbulence. This album has it all, from driving thrash ("The Best of Enemies") to brilliant speed metal epics ("Wildfire") that will leave lasting impressions on the psyche. The lyrical base for this album is similar to the last, a balance of historical and religious themes with a dash of Medieval fantasy. Like it's predecessor, I give this album highest recommendations for any fan of 80s speed/thrash or interesting, innovative metal.

© 2000 pizarro