Here's one of those classic albums which seems forgotten and never got the recognition it so richly deserves!! This is undoubtedly ABSU's best material (although I personally can't stand the more thrash-oriented albums which followed this). Basically, if INCANTATION recorded a black metal record, this is EXACTLY what it would sound like!!! There's some death metal influences present on this album, especially since it's quite technical and a ton of tempo/riff changes. But most of the riffs sound like low-tuned black metal. Vocally, one vocalist is mid-pitched and one is very high. Proscriptor's vocals (the higher ones) are reminiscent of Quorthon a tad bit, they're also much more powerful and less annoying than the later ABSU albums. The guitar sound is VERY heavy and somewhat "American death metal" sounding, but it fits so perfectly with the riffs. The only complaint I really have is the cheap snare sound (sounding like a Morrisound "cooking pot" snare). Then again, in '93 it was rare to hear a band without that type of inexpensive snare head (since it was "the thing" thanks to the grunge movement). If one has never heard ABSU, buy this album, forget their later stuff!!!!

© 2003 bathym