As you may have noticed, I'm not an addict to what Sweden can offer to the Black Metal scene. Of course, from this country came really GREAT & CULT bands in the past (BATHORY, DISSECTION, both HELLFIRE, MERCILESS, and even the first recordings of MARDUK & SETHERIAL). DARK FUNERAL, with their first MCD and CD, also deserve in my opinion to be considered with respect as any other part of the legend of Black Metal. So this MLP is a proof that Blackmoon (here playing guitars, as on the D.F.'s releases mentioned above) and Themgoroth (singer & bass player here - he was the singer on D.F.'s first two recordings) were really an important cause of this success, as DARK FUNERAL started to be fucked up after their departure (since "Vobiscum Satanas" actually) whereas this first MLP of the INFERNAL project is a pure killer release ! No need to like atmospheric stuff here, the two guys, helped by Impious, play on this recording ultra fast Swedish Black Metal with the great feeling of DARK FUNERAL on their beginning ( '94 / '96 era), you know what I mean : this is Swedish Black Metal played with a Norwegian spirit/feeling, and this is a HUGE mix. It's exactly the kind of CD DARK FUNERAL would release nowadays if these two gods were still a part of it. The voice is exactly the same as on "The secrets of the Black arts" and the guitar riffs are at least as good, maybe even better... Drums are ultra fast and will please both those who like the old D.F.and the new one (or SETHERIAL or IN BATTLE). And with such titles as "The coming of the age of Satan" or "Under the Hellsign", my only regret is that I only got the vinyl version of this release, therefore I do not have the lyrics ( I would have liked to check them out )... They must be in the great tradition of the good, so good, DARK FUNERAL's beginnings... This is the ultimate proof that Ahriman was not right when he told Blackmoon and Themgoroth to leave the band, and even if Blackmoon acts like a bastard with its greedy label (Hellspawn), he is a great songwriter. Fuck nowadays' DARK FUNERAL, Hail INFERNAL !!!!!

9 / 10

© 2003 lord pesten