Arathorn offers up paganish black metal using the production values and riff structures of 2nd wave black metal to give it a sinister sound with occasional folk melodies presented through keyboards (is that a real accordian in the second tune?). This disc may not please the fans of true warrior black metal, because the keys are prominent and sometimes sound light-hearted. But, indeed, the compositions are very effective in creating a nostalgic (for "darker" times) and dismal atmosphere due to the excellent choices of swarming, thickly recorded chord progressions and simple yet effective melody lines. This is an excellent disc to pop in while sitting in your dark, oaken den, reading some dark fantasy novel while sipping on some delicious ever so slightly cooler than room temperature Celebrator Doppelbock (drink the Goat).

© 2000 j. mcintyre