Review by Jack on November 28, 2001.

Symphonic/synthetic black metal used to be all the rage in the years gone by, your Dimmu Borgir’s and Old Man’s Child’s would play all the catchy bopping metal that our sisters could appreciate. Then as of late, each of these sympho/syntho bands decided that they wanted to be the biggest fish in the pond and went to radical extremes to create a unique and ultimately removed standard in black metal thoroughfare. This is all well and good, but it leaves some of the consumers with a craving for good and solid sympho/syntho black metal from yesteryears. Be thankful for Dark Funeral, they provide that trip down memory lane with their unashamed brand of hyper-speed black music.

If the year was between 1996-1998, Dark Funeral probably would not be receiving such a favorable review. But here we sit; near the end of 2001, and “Diabolis Interium” is such a solid and all round album that it is really hard to fault. Dark Funeral know their limits and they stick by them. Dark Funeral with “Diabolis Interium” do not try and create an album that incorporates every know element of metal from the past thirty years into to one big mess. They adhere with the well-known elements of black metal and make black metal like it should be.

The only slur on “Diabolis Interium” is the usage of the Satan metaphors and lyrics... they have been done to death and then through hell too. But it doesn’t really make that much of difference for Dark Funeral as they play such a great form of black metal.

Dark Funeral with “Diabolis Interium” do not deliver a lasting impression, like a boxer that is able to go the full twelve rounds; but instead gives a short, sharp jab to the sternum that leaves a different sort of impression, one that is not of anguish or boredom, but instead the sort like “hey that was a fun trip, have to do it again sometime”. It is a very short 36 minute album, that is clocked in at the right time and does not bore the listener like some other epic black metal bands. Dark Funeral do what they do and they do it well, then they leave. No room for commercialisation or crap like that. A band true to the black metal game.

Bottom Line: No need for ridiculous originality here folks, Dark Funeral go about their tunes with style and precision well, telling us that the black metal scene is still live and kicking.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 5
Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 8
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.2 out of 10

Review by Krys on March 28, 2003.

After Andromeda's progressive/metal "Extension of the Wish" the time had come to move on into a more progressive and less metal field with "II=I". I won't lie to you, after their mind-blowing debut I was waiting for another dose of killer riffs and youthful aggression and "II=I" caught me by surprise with a more mellow and complex approach. Surprise, that after many spins turned into amazement and admiration for unlimited musical and composition skills of Johan Reinholdz and Co.

"II=I" is not an album you'll fall in love with after the first spin, much more complex and harder to understand than its predecessor "II=I" takes many spins to get into every detail. Multiple layers of progressive arrangements, broken rhythms, pentatonic scales and jazz-like musical solutions can commence the war in your head and leave you frenzied. This disc is definitely not for fans looking for in-your-face guitar assault or straightforward blast beats but if you love technical side of music then "II=I" will deliver more than you can handle.

Johan Reinholdz is one of the most gifted guitar players that the music world has to offer right now and if he won't waste his talent in years to come he has a chance of becoming a guitar genius having his name mentioned next to the biggest names of this instrument. If progressive music is not your cup, "II=I" is worth its price simply for inspiration value for young musicians. The skills and musical precision presented on this album may overwhelm the casual listener and staggers professional musicians and I don't mean just the guitar alone. Thomas Lejon and Martin Hedin are maniacs on their respective instruments and David Fremberg's wider vocal range is a welcome addition to this multitalented band. Before I conclude this review I have to calm down any skeptics already thinking of another Dream Theater clone. Andromeda is not a copycat of above-mentioned; they have enough fresh ideas and skills to make it on their own and if anyone has to worry it'd be the current progressive music world cause with the tempo those guys are maturing as musicians Andromeda might be very hard to top in years to come by any prog band.

Bottom Line: If you look for a superb songwriting and world-class musicianship "II=I" is a safe bet but for music fans hunting for pure aggression and with no interest in guitar masturbation I'd suggest to look somewhere else.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 9
Originality: 7
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.6 out of 10