Review by Adam M on October 28, 2010.

This band has an icy feel that is somewhat distinctive in Black Metal. However, there is one outfit that performs this style to near perfection in a very similar manner and that is Immortal. The bands share a musical style very closely and thankfully Byfrost does a pretty good job at portraying the frostbitten Black Metal style.

So the adjective cold is a solid way to describe the material to be found on this disc. It carries forth a chilling feeling from the big riffs themselves. The band is again similar to Immortal in the huge chops they bring that actually share as much in common with the Thrash genre as the Black Metal one. Track after track the guitar licks make everything seem grand and larger than life. The last song 'Skull Of God' ends things off without vocals and fading away via some more massive riffs. It offers the appropriately cold ending to a disc that shows this icy Black Metal characteristic all the way through. It may not be the most original take on the genre you’ll find, but it is very effective.

For the band to grow in positive directions in the future, they need to incorporate compelling new ideas of their own and take a slightly more innovative direction. "Black Earth" is sufficient in delivering and Immortal style platter of Black Metal, but slightly lacks its own identity. The guitar work is certainly one of the strongest aspects to be found with this album. However, it is very derivative, which prevents it from being as authentic sounding as it could be. It is nonetheless a strong work that should be checked out by both Black Metal and Thrash fans.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.5
Production: 8
Originality: 4
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.4 out of 10

Review by Adam M on May 7, 2014.

Dwellers play good, old fashioned classic rock that has the hippy vibe ingrained. Riffs are crisp, hazy and melodies infectious as one would expect. There is a very heavy influence of the classics like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Cream to be found here, but with a slight added heaviness. I found myself very addicted to this album in a similar fashion to the disc by Graveyard, Hisingen Blues.

The problem is holding its own next to the classics, which is a difficult task these two albums achieve quite well. There may not be as many innovative ideas as classics like Are You Experienced? or Houses of the Holy had at time, but there is an up in the ante of harmonious riffs that are complemented by a nice organ in the background. Return to the Sky is a highlight and really brings out the best groove from the band. The vocals are of the bluesy type that is very similar to the aforementioned Graveyard album. The tone of the music lends itself to being psychedelic at times. The music's heaviness is close to old Sabbath, but it carries more of the classic rock element with it. Recent material by Gypsyhawk would also constitute a good comparison of another band trying to recreate the classic feeling.

Don’t expect anything particularly original, but the performance of this old style is at least noteworthy, much like the Graveyard release. The injection of some major bluesy psychedelic portions from time to time breaks up the straightforward classic riffing at the right intervals. The constant groove is ever-present and will enrapture the listener. Pagan Fruit is an exciting and moving release that is one of the surprise releases of the year so far.

Ratting: 8 out of 10

Review by Adam M on May 7, 2014.

Dwellers play good, old fashioned classic rock that has the hippy vibe ingrained. Riffs are crisp, hazy and melodies infectious as one would expect. There is a very heavy influence of the classics like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Cream to be found here, but with a slight added heaviness. I found myself very addicted to this album in a similar fashion to the disc by Graveyard, Hisingen Blues.

The problem is holding its own next to the classics, which is a difficult task these two albums achieve quite well. There may not be as many innovative ideas as classics like Are You Experienced? or Houses of the Holy had at time, but there is an up in the ante of harmonious riffs that are complemented by a nice organ in the background. Return to the Sky is a highlight and really brings out the best groove from the band. The vocals are of the bluesy type that is very similar to the aforementioned Graveyard album. The tone of the music lends itself to being psychedelic at times. The music's heaviness is close to old Sabbath, but it carries more of the classic rock element with it. Recent material by Gypsyhawk would also constitute a good comparison of another band trying to recreate the classic feeling.

Don’t expect anything particularly original, but the performance of this old style is at least noteworthy, much like the Graveyard release. The injection of some major bluesy psychedelic portions from time to time breaks up the straightforward classic riffing at the right intervals. The constant groove is ever-present and will enrapture the listener. Pagan Fruit is an exciting and moving release that is one of the surprise releases of the year so far.

Ratting: 8 out of 10

Review by Adam M on May 7, 2014.

Dwellers play good, old fashioned classic rock that has the hippy vibe ingrained. Riffs are crisp, hazy and melodies infectious as one would expect. There is a very heavy influence of the classics like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Cream to be found here, but with a slight added heaviness. I found myself very addicted to this album in a similar fashion to the disc by Graveyard, Hisingen Blues.

The problem is holding its own next to the classics, which is a difficult task these two albums achieve quite well. There may not be as many innovative ideas as classics like Are You Experienced? or Houses of the Holy had at time, but there is an up in the ante of harmonious riffs that are complemented by a nice organ in the background. Return to the Sky is a highlight and really brings out the best groove from the band. The vocals are of the bluesy type that is very similar to the aforementioned Graveyard album. The tone of the music lends itself to being psychedelic at times. The music's heaviness is close to old Sabbath, but it carries more of the classic rock element with it. Recent material by Gypsyhawk would also constitute a good comparison of another band trying to recreate the classic feeling.

Don’t expect anything particularly original, but the performance of this old style is at least noteworthy, much like the Graveyard release. The injection of some major bluesy psychedelic portions from time to time breaks up the straightforward classic riffing at the right intervals. The constant groove is ever-present and will enrapture the listener. Pagan Fruit is an exciting and moving release that is one of the surprise releases of the year so far.

Ratting: 8 out of 10