Review by Wiley on August 24, 2010.

Full frontal attack, exquisite sandblasting, twisted and rotted vocals, and melody bare malice on the listener. Lashing about so quickly I am instantly transported back to my younger days experiencing Marduk's first assaults. Things are taken adrift into new waters with each track each evoking exactly the storms called for from the primary movements. Yet never neglecting the chaos and cacophony resonant in those ear rending treats such as early Darkthrone, Immortal, Dodheimsgard and even executing a more polished and sadistic Dark Funeral. There is nice balance and hook to each track, nary a moment falling dull, save for maybe one too many straight blasts - even then quickly recovered by a midpaced groove or sullen break.

This is quite the album it presents itself as. There is no denying the raw black power, even from the raw sketched cover art. No new grounds plowed, but sometimes that is not what is neccessary to stir the fire inside that desires this sort of oxygen. For the sheer weight this album possesses, integrity and pride in the black genre fly high. Fans of those days long gone will definitely enjoy the reminiscing voyage in crystal production - each layer very tangible and dry. These are the elements of "throwback" that keep the genre alive, songcraft is key and passion is the hand that rips the lock off with spite. But isnt that what this sound was supposed to exemplify to begin with????

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 7.5
Atmosphere: 7.8
Production: 7.8
Originality: 6.9
Overall: 7.5

Rating:7.5 out of 10