Review by Michael on May 13, 2021.

In 1988 a young British band from Coventry set out to conquer the world with their death metal. Thematically, In Battle There Is No Law!, as well as the following albums, is mainly about war. Whether it is due to the fact that the Germans have destroyed Coventry in the Second World War with their bombings, or whether Bolt Thrower have developed such an affinity to war and destruction by other coincidences, I do not like to say.

The cover is pretty unspectacular by Bolt Throwers standards, a drawn 08/15 death metal cover in black and white, but is also "only" the debut and the band's budget was pretty limited. The logo is not yet the one we are used to from them on the following albums, it still looks pretty primitive. The production of the album seems very rough and unpolished. When I listen to the album, I always notice the muddy sound. This may be due to the fact that the production company didn't grant the band much studio time at the time, and the budget wasn't particularly generous either.

The songs all have a somewhat chaotic structure, which was influenced by the hardcore and punk bands of England at that time (Doom, Sore Throat, they were good friends with Napalm Death and Carcass). The Bolt Thrower-typical song structures are already well recognizable in parts ('Nuclear Annihilation' starts similar to 'World Eater'), but you can clearly see that the songwriting talent of the band is still in its infancy. The guitars do have the Bolt Thrower-like riffing, but the drums sound rather bumpy and wooden and Karl's voice sounds deep, but nowhere near as charismatic as on the following albums. The band manages to make the songs sound quite appealing, as many of the song structures are quite catchy, but unfortunately they lapse into quite uncontrolled bludgeoning every now and then. Also the solos sometimes seem a bit too rushed and a bit out of place. But you also have to realize that the band released their debut album before many other bands (for example Morbid Angel, Carcass, Entombed) and at that time there were only a few reference works in death metal ("Scream Bloody Gore"; "Scum"). Thus, the album should always be seen in a historical context. Tracks that point to the further musical development are the title track with a cool spoken words intro and the classic Bolt Thrower characteristics in the further course of the piece. 'Forgotten Existance' shows the already from time to time and flashing ability to write very interesting death metal songs (the solo alone is remarkable) and 'Attack In The Aftermath' I already celebrated off as a young teenager in 1994 because of its brutality.

To sum up, In Battle There Is No Law! is a pretty interesting album if you want to take a closer look at Bolt Throwers' career. If you are not a big fan of the band, you should better listen to the other albums from War Master on, to be taught a better lesson. In Battle There Is No Law! definitely has its right to exist, even if it is not the album I listen to first when I reach for my death metal classics.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10

Review by Raphaël on May 16, 2022.

Arkos is a band from Montréal, Québec I’ve been following since the first time I saw them live in 2016. They were opening for Kalmah in my hometown of Sherbrooke and ever since then, anytime they’re in town, I’m there in the front row. So, fair warning, this review might not be 100% objective… like if any music reviews is objective… Anyway, on that note, let’s talk about Arkos. They're quite difficult to describe. I would say they broadly fall in the black metal category with a touch of death thrown in the mix but these labels are too reductive to truly represent their music as a whole. They incorporate so many different sounds and influences, especially since their album Tribe, where they went more melodic, adding even a bit of classical metal in the mix. This makes for a truly unique listening experience leaving you saying; wow! So freaking creative! Forges is their first EP and is the start of a trilogy of EPs depicting a fantasy infused war story.

Forges comprises 6 tracks, 3 traditional songs and 3 instrumentals. First of all, I need to talk about musicianship. From the tight drumming, creative riffs, shredding solos and perfectly audible bass lines (which is kinda rare in black metal). Everyone sounds better than they ever did. Their musical versatility shines on the instrumentals. 'Martyre' is a beautiful acoustic guitar piece, played by Amon. 'Adoration' has a rhythmic, tribal drum beat, played by Mammoth on small drums, accompanied by the main drums played by Unholy DeathHammer. 'Carcasse' is a classic Arkos song, catchy black metal riffs, excellent solos and the classic 2-man vocals of Mammoth’s deeper scream/growls and the high-pitched screams of The Crypt Whisperer. It will become a live staple, I’m sure.

'Héritage' is a weird one, the first 2/3 of the song is a slow build up with The Crypt Whisperer screaming gently as he plays a clean guitar melody. As things progress, a long and smooth sounding solo is played, pretty unconventional for black metal. Makes for a truly emotional moment, especially live! For the remaining third, It’s a more traditional Arkos song which means a simple yet super catchy but darker sounding melody all done with a fast tremolo picking.

'Misère' is essentially the acoustic guitar intro to their 11min song, 'Abomination'. Of all their discography, I think this is the best song they have ever written. The fact it’s pretty long gives space to truly build an atmosphere. One of the main riffs is so well written, it simultaneously makes me want to headbang but makes me emotional and gives me chills every time. Around 6 minutes and 45 seconds the song slows down to an almost complete stop playing progressively spaced-out single bass notes giving it a truly spooky vibe. All of that culminates into a powerful and emotional solo. As far as the negatives goes, I don’t have much to say. I mean sure the production could be better but being black metal, it fits the whole vibe pretty well. I am not a fan of the snare sound, however. It sounds a bit flat, especially during blast beats.

So, it’s safe to say I love this EP. It showcases everything that makes Arkos a great band, the musicianship, great lyrics and the unbelievable creativity. In a genre that seldom produces truly unique bands, Arkos is one to watch! I cannot wait for the other EPs.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Raphaël on May 16, 2022.

Arkos is a band from Montréal, Québec I’ve been following since the first time I saw them live in 2016. They were opening for Kalmah in my hometown of Sherbrooke and ever since then, anytime they’re in town, I’m there in the front row. So, fair warning, this review might not be 100% objective… like if any music reviews is objective… Anyway, on that note, let’s talk about Arkos. They're quite difficult to describe. I would say they broadly fall in the black metal category with a touch of death thrown in the mix but these labels are too reductive to truly represent their music as a whole. They incorporate so many different sounds and influences, especially since their album Tribe, where they went more melodic, adding even a bit of classical metal in the mix. This makes for a truly unique listening experience leaving you saying; wow! So freaking creative! Forges is their first EP and is the start of a trilogy of EPs depicting a fantasy infused war story.

Forges comprises 6 tracks, 3 traditional songs and 3 instrumentals. First of all, I need to talk about musicianship. From the tight drumming, creative riffs, shredding solos and perfectly audible bass lines (which is kinda rare in black metal). Everyone sounds better than they ever did. Their musical versatility shines on the instrumentals. 'Martyre' is a beautiful acoustic guitar piece, played by Amon. 'Adoration' has a rhythmic, tribal drum beat, played by Mammoth on small drums, accompanied by the main drums played by Unholy DeathHammer. 'Carcasse' is a classic Arkos song, catchy black metal riffs, excellent solos and the classic 2-man vocals of Mammoth’s deeper scream/growls and the high-pitched screams of The Crypt Whisperer. It will become a live staple, I’m sure.

'Héritage' is a weird one, the first 2/3 of the song is a slow build up with The Crypt Whisperer screaming gently as he plays a clean guitar melody. As things progress, a long and smooth sounding solo is played, pretty unconventional for black metal. Makes for a truly emotional moment, especially live! For the remaining third, It’s a more traditional Arkos song which means a simple yet super catchy but darker sounding melody all done with a fast tremolo picking.

'Misère' is essentially the acoustic guitar intro to their 11min song, 'Abomination'. Of all their discography, I think this is the best song they have ever written. The fact it’s pretty long gives space to truly build an atmosphere. One of the main riffs is so well written, it simultaneously makes me want to headbang but makes me emotional and gives me chills every time. Around 6 minutes and 45 seconds the song slows down to an almost complete stop playing progressively spaced-out single bass notes giving it a truly spooky vibe. All of that culminates into a powerful and emotional solo. As far as the negatives goes, I don’t have much to say. I mean sure the production could be better but being black metal, it fits the whole vibe pretty well. I am not a fan of the snare sound, however. It sounds a bit flat, especially during blast beats.

So, it’s safe to say I love this EP. It showcases everything that makes Arkos a great band, the musicianship, great lyrics and the unbelievable creativity. In a genre that seldom produces truly unique bands, Arkos is one to watch! I cannot wait for the other EPs.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Luka on March 29, 2002.

Ahh, what a pleasure it is to review an album I adore so immensely and on so many levels! "Tattooed Millionaire" and "Balls to Picasso" were so horrible and unoriginal that I had very early written off Bruce Dickinson as a gone-by metal legend who didn’t have what it takes to make it on his own. And then came this amazing album... this "Skunkworks" project... oh hell, what a difference and timely salvation! He not only turned in the right direction, he single-handedly forged a brand new “sound” which is completely unique to this album, the type of sound some bands would spend their career on perfecting. While the majority of his fans found the later works even more impressive, "Skunkworks" hit the right note with me and I see it as the ultimate and somewhat unexpected climax of his solo career!

Bruce finally seems to have taken his band seriously after the two whimsical previous albums. This time there’s energy, there’s atmosphere, there’s emotion, intensity... a completely thought out and perfected masterpiece! It’s amazing how catchy and full of hooks it is for a relatively slow paced and often mesmerizing album! It churns slowly but surely and pulses with a strange intensity that keeps the mysterious atmosphere in a constant state while the different songs experiment and move in all kinds of different musical directions and styles. Impossible to label, this is a strange type of mellowed out heavy metal that wouldn’t lose a speck of it’s brilliance 20 years in the future or 20 years in the past, it’s original, it’s timeless.

The songs are finely and carefully constructed and produced with the utmost perfection. Hooks and strong beats of speedy tracks like 'Solar Confinement' and 'Innerspace' get your head bobbing readily even though the drums and bass are not nearly as dominant as they could have been. 'Inertia' and 'Back From the Edge', even the strange, atmospheric 'Octavia' you’ll be singing to after hearing only once, they’re so potent and fun that you can’t help yourself! Bruce’s lyrics, which are intelligent and thought-provoking and often deal with strange occurrences probably from his early life, you’ll also be singing along to in a short while. He has perfected the concept of vocal and instrumental harmony, every sound fits seamlessly into his singing patterns and that’s what makes it so damn catchy! The closing track 'Strange Death in Paradise' is so mesmerizing and progressive it would make Dream Theater jealous!

"Skunkworks" (much like the actual secret government project) still remains a mystery to me after listening to it for some half decade, it’s fun and simply never gets boring! The formula is perfected, every song has something unique and different. Dickinson’s voice is even smoother and more likeable than I ever remember him from Iron Maiden. This album marked a significant turn in his career that, with the help of the two well-known follow-ups, made him one of the most important figures ever in the genre of heavy music. Do not pass this album by, it easily knocks out of the water both 1997’s famous "Accident of Birth" and ‘98‘s "Chemical Wedding", though I’m sure many will disagree. Get this album!

Bottom Line: A brief summary of the words I used to describe this godly album: mysterious, atmospheric; progressive; potent; fun; catchy; powerful; original; perfected; timeless, brilliant... so what are you waiting for??

Originality: 9
Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 10
Overall: 10

Rating: 9.4 out of 10