This is perhaps THE most controversial album EVER in the history of black metal.. This is because MayheM (along with Darkthrone) pretty much set the standard for modern black metal.. and with this new album, they change styles so drastically its hard to believe it is the same band.. but now onto the music..

What we have here is a concept album about a great war, and the music is extremely fitting to this.. Very chaotic, very strange, and very in your face! Even the one industrial track (yes, ONE industrial track, there are no industrial elements present in any other song.. like so many have claimed..) fits perfectly, as it is a dark, damp piece that brings images to the end of a very bloody battle.. The guitars on this album are the most technical MayheM has ever seen, and very fitting to what is being presented here (if somewhat repetitive).. The bass is inaudible for the most part, but when you can hear it, it is very technical, and extremely well done to add to the atmosphere.. the drumming on this album is simply GODLY! Hellhammer proves that he is one of the greatest drummers ever to walk the earth.. I have no idea how such speed and precision is possible.. it blows my mind.. the drumming here is the only thing that really reminds you of old MayheM, just because of the speed and how chaotic it is.. but he adds a lot of time changes/war-like snare drums and other such things to prove he is far above pretty much any other drummer alive.. The vocals on this album are extremely strange.. at times Maniac sounds like a dictator, persuading people to war on another, with a very commanding voice.. at other times we have Maniacs INSANE scream.. I have always thought he has had one of the best screams black metal has ever seen, and on this cd it is performed at its best!! Extremely sick.... Now, I know a lot of you have written this cd off as "trendy", thats such fucking bullshit!!! Aside from the industrial track (which is original by the way, I listen to industrial and it is different from a whole lot of industrial), everything here is pretty much completely new and undone before in music.. so how is that trendy??? Its trendy to start your own style and play music like no ones ever played before??? Fuckers... hahaha.. anyway.. this album should be given quite a few listens, with an open mind, and maybe then you'll grow to appreciate it as much as I have... a stunning piece of work!!

"I cannot descend peace, but the sword.. and I... I have made WAR!!!" ~ Maniac

Appeal: Anyone looking for something completely new that represents war like none other...

© 2001 niosrever