Review by Michael on April 30, 2026.

With "Teufelspakt – Perkeleen Tie" the German label Dominace Of Darkness has just released a very interesting split album by German Totensturm and Finnish Alkemisti. While Totensturm (by the way a one-man project by Abdiroth who is also active in Gottmaschine) already has released two full-length albums the Finns are more or less a blank sheet of paper with just a demo from 2024 in their discography. Kicking off with three songs by Totensturm, the listener gets to hear some really harsh black metal that reminds a lot of the Finnish scene such as Sargeist or Satanic Warmaster. Nevertheless there are also some more melodic parts to be found, especially when it comes to the vocals. Although Abdiroth voice is quite rough and guttural, the choruses are quite melodic and almost really sung. If you listen to "In Die Nacht" you will know what I mean. The second track "Ritualsuizid" is pretty much rougher and more hateful than the opener. But also here are some melodic approaches with a catchy chorus reminding of the countrymen Mavorim or all the other ones where Baptist is involved. The third track ("Valon Kuolema") is kept in Finnish and on that the sound is a little bit more unpolished and dirty.

Why is it in Finnish? Well, actually that was a very nice idea by the two bands and also something that you don't have too often on a split release. But let's quote the booklet for the reason: "The lyrics for the third and sixth tracks were written by the other band – born purely from the emotions that arose while listening to the instrumentals. They were then performed by the original vocalists, in the language of mutual connection and spirituality."

Coming to the three tracks by Alkemisti, you can clearly notice a more symphonic approach than Totensturm has. Here we have a lot of synthesizer tunes and black metal that tend to be more atmospheric and reminds (especially from the dense riffing and the vocals) of old Burzum and sometimes early Ad Hominem. The tracks aren't that super fast and on "Valaistus" we even have some quite doomy parts. The production is a little bit more muffled than Totensturm but this doesn't matter too much. "Weltenschlacht" (the track in German) also doesn't differ stylistically but actually I don't get too much from the lyrics. I really needed the booklet to understand the lyrics.

Altogether the two bands have released a cool split album with a quite innovative idea with the lyrics and if you like a lot of diversity on your black metal album, this one is really worth checking. This is pure underground stuff and should be supported for sure!

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Allan on March 25, 2002.

Before releasing their next record, “A Night At The Opera”, Blind Guardian treated us to this two song EP. I won’t say much more about the second track, 'Harvest of Sorrow', except that it is a good track. But the real reason you want to listen to this EP is because of the song 'And Then There Was Silence'. This is one of the most ambitious pieces of music that the band has ever written!

Some of you may have preferred early Blind Guardian where there were humungous solos, but with the later Blind Guardian, especially this track, they have grown in the ability to create a well-rounded and well-structured song. With its seamless transitions through all 14 minutes, ‘And Then There Was Silence’ is full of huge choruses, rich vocal harmonies, excellently keyboards, and many other things. When I say huge choruses, I mean it! These are tremendous! The song takes you through a plethora of emotions that can sometimes be too much to handle, but I love it! Hansi’s vocals are sung with so much strength and courage. He is the best vocalist in the power metal scene, and I stand by what I say. “And Then Their Was Silence” showcases that band at their strongest as musicians and songwriters yet.

Bottom Line: An epic adventure and preview of 2002’s “A Night At The Opera”. An excellent EP for fans of Blind Guardian, but since it is an EP, probably not something to get unless you hated the rest of “A Night At The Opera” or are a collector of all things Blind Guardian.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 10
Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 10
Overall: 10

Rating: 10 out of 10

Review by Krys on December 12, 2001.

How many clones of Helloween have you heard this year? Don’t remember? Well, me too. Too many to even bother thinking about and that’s why with the biggest pleasure I introduce to you a preview of Blind Guardian’s next full-length album “A Night at the Opera”, a single - “And Then There Was Silence”.

I usually don’t review singles but since Century Media made an exception and released one I feel a little obligated to comment on their effort. Even though it’s just 18 min. of music plus a video, it’s some of the most satisfying minutes of power-heavy metal I’ve heard this year.

The 14 minute title track embodies everything that’s unique about this band. Outstanding production, prodigious music structures, monumental choirs and top class musicianship, everything perfectly arranged into an epic-size song. It’s like a ship during stormy weather, a non-stop journey from the bottom to top of the a mammoth wave where every crescendo is branded by a chorus that is just an incredible display of multi-layered vocals that create such a magical atmosphere you can only imagine in the best music operas around the world. After fatiguing you with such a journey, the serene classic guitar on ‘Harvest of Sorrow’ will ease your mind and transpose you to a lonely island to calm your nerves.

The closing video, 'Born in a Mourning Hall' is a perfect end to a great preview of Blind Guardian’s new album and for those of us who never had a chance to see them live, it is a mesmerizing introduction to the band’s live abilities.

Bottom Line: If the full-length, “A Night at the Opera” that most probably will see the light in February of 2002, is at least as good as the two tracks on this single then I suggest you start saving your gringos ‘cause you can’t afford to miss this release.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

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

Rating: 8.4 out of 10