Review by Felix on December 16, 2020.

It may be that some metalheads are permanently looking for innovation, but honestly speaking, metal is a very conservative genre. It is still dominated by white men (not to say old white men), the musical frame hasn’t much changed since the eighties of the last millennium and many young bands pay tribute to traditional sounds. Blackevil is one of these units that worship yesterday. Their speed metal seems to originate from a time long gone, but further legions, for example Diabolic Night, another gang from Germany, have already proven evidence that this kind of metal still has its right of existence.

The lead vocals add a blackened touch, the rhythm section plays together tightly and the comparatively light lead guitar gives the album its most characterising moment. Blackevil’s compositions are swift as an arrow, they have a restless nature and all of them possess a melodic element, not intrusive, but remarkable. The material can rely on its energetic vibes. Of course, these are the vibes from 1985, but they still have an impact. 'Black Fire Tornado' – the title shows impressively that the Teutonic fighters are not willing to miss a stereotype – is a fine, typical torpedo. Its fast verses are seamlessly combined with a less rapid chorus. Here the guys demonstrate their core competency, the creation of concise speedsters. On the other hand, two songs cross the eight minutes mark and yes, that’s rather less exciting. These tracks are not bad and feature more or less the same details like the shorter songs. Nevertheless, due to their variety (or heterogeneity) they nearly appear to me like a violation of the band’s tradition-conscious approach.

The mix is clear and avoids an overly modern sound successfully. Just like the music itself, it is based on precise and solid handicraft. Indeed, the songs do not lack substance and especially those who always wanted to know the sound of a bastard that connects Annihilator, Living Death with the second lead vocalist and old Blind Guardian (not only the artwork reminds me of “Battalions of Fear”) will love the album. I am less fascinated. Blackevil do a good job, they have penned lively songs and they score with musical integrity. Yet the final kick is missing from my point of view and a few elements like the squeaky guitar solo in 'Pestkarren' or the overlong intro of the closer are pretty annoying. So this is a full-length for two target groups. Either you belong to those dudes who fight the establishment and don’t care about the opinion of an old white man like me or you must be a convinced conservative – at least in terms of metal.

Rating: 6.7 out of 10

Review by Felix on December 16, 2020.

It may be that some metalheads are permanently looking for innovation, but honestly speaking, metal is a very conservative genre. It is still dominated by white men (not to say old white men), the musical frame hasn’t much changed since the eighties of the last millennium and many young bands pay tribute to traditional sounds. Blackevil is one of these units that worship yesterday. Their speed metal seems to originate from a time long gone, but further legions, for example Diabolic Night, another gang from Germany, have already proven evidence that this kind of metal still has its right of existence.

The lead vocals add a blackened touch, the rhythm section plays together tightly and the comparatively light lead guitar gives the album its most characterising moment. Blackevil’s compositions are swift as an arrow, they have a restless nature and all of them possess a melodic element, not intrusive, but remarkable. The material can rely on its energetic vibes. Of course, these are the vibes from 1985, but they still have an impact. 'Black Fire Tornado' – the title shows impressively that the Teutonic fighters are not willing to miss a stereotype – is a fine, typical torpedo. Its fast verses are seamlessly combined with a less rapid chorus. Here the guys demonstrate their core competency, the creation of concise speedsters. On the other hand, two songs cross the eight minutes mark and yes, that’s rather less exciting. These tracks are not bad and feature more or less the same details like the shorter songs. Nevertheless, due to their variety (or heterogeneity) they nearly appear to me like a violation of the band’s tradition-conscious approach.

The mix is clear and avoids an overly modern sound successfully. Just like the music itself, it is based on precise and solid handicraft. Indeed, the songs do not lack substance and especially those who always wanted to know the sound of a bastard that connects Annihilator, Living Death with the second lead vocalist and old Blind Guardian (not only the artwork reminds me of “Battalions of Fear”) will love the album. I am less fascinated. Blackevil do a good job, they have penned lively songs and they score with musical integrity. Yet the final kick is missing from my point of view and a few elements like the squeaky guitar solo in 'Pestkarren' or the overlong intro of the closer are pretty annoying. So this is a full-length for two target groups. Either you belong to those dudes who fight the establishment and don’t care about the opinion of an old white man like me or you must be a convinced conservative – at least in terms of metal.

Rating: 6.7 out of 10

Review by JD on November 30, 2011.

Black Metal has to do a few things to me. It has to make my neck hairs stand up, the dark side of my soul come alive while the strict Lutheran upbringing of my childhood then flees in terror. That is when I knew the Black Metal is so good. Me thinks that I might have found that feeling with veteran Finnish Satanic Metallers Archgoat.

Basic and nasty, Archgoat knows the power of that certain balancing point between the raw satanic explosion of sounds and intense musical attack. With powerful and hate derived vocals amid a sea of heavy and skull cracking guitars, this band has found a way to make the basic premise of Black Metal come alive to kill all religions except its own with the most blood soaked ands blasphemous fuelled metal since the first few Bathory albums.

As Ep’s go, this is a perfect one. Each song is a brilliantly written musical sonata styled homage to Satan, wrapped up in a simple yet powerfully heavy music that has all the tactfulness of a shotgun fired up the ass - all of which is perfectly executed in its fiendish task. 'Blessed Vulva' is the one track that stands out on the EP, pounding away at every inner sence you have and winning.

"Heavenly Vulva" is not perfectly recorded, but that is what makes the sound for Archgoat all the more compelling. With all of this savagery and demonic ingenuity, these Finns are one of the best in the Black Metal world. There are other BM acts that sound much more polished than what you have here, but with the vibe you get with Archgoat - it makes their music much more powerful.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8.5
Production: 8
Originality: 8
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.5 out of 10