Review by Denis on August 7, 2003.

This band was originally formed in 97 by singer Robin Tinker and keyboardist player Matthew Davis. The singer brought in a couple friends to play guitar and bass in what was becoming more than just the initial past time. In 1999 came the debut self-release "Blowing Bubbles Through Broken Windows". In 2001 Dark Symphonies not only discovered but also signed them. Their second album was recorded from October to December 2002 with producer Roger Lavallee from "The Curtain Society".

"Things That Were" is sadly dedicated by Matthew Davis to Tara Harding Lee who passed away in 2002. In his words: "She was our number one fan, for a short time, I got to know the beauty of her soul". It didn't take me long to be absorbed in it; almost hypnotized by the very mood of "Things That Were". I just have the feeling I'm in a haunted house, my ear against the wall, listening to the songs and music from the very souls haunting that house. Sad and haunting.

"Things That Were" is a wonderful venture into the gothic realm. Almost scary if one considers the fact that it was dedicated to a departed friend who used to be a fan. There ends the scariness because in no way, shape or form is this opus a threat to your completeness. Quite the opposite since it is all poetry and sadness following a shadowy melodic path. Angelic female vocals give the right vibration to the lyrics. Backing vocals (male) are also present in some passages. A lot of clean acoustic or electric guitar parts along with panoramic background keys are painting the ghostly scenery depicted in the compositions. No speed or screams involved. Only good melodies from beginning to end.

My own favorite dark lights: 'Ever After Fading', 'Autumn Falls', 'The Tiny Drawer' and 'Such As Mirrors'.

Bottom Line: Thus the atmosphere became gothic...

Categorical Rating Breakdown:

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

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Denis on August 7, 2003.

This band was originally formed in 97 by singer Robin Tinker and keyboardist player Matthew Davis. The singer brought in a couple friends to play guitar and bass in what was becoming more than just the initial past time. In 1999 came the debut self-release "Blowing Bubbles Through Broken Windows". In 2001 Dark Symphonies not only discovered but also signed them. Their second album was recorded from October to December 2002 with producer Roger Lavallee from "The Curtain Society".

"Things That Were" is sadly dedicated by Matthew Davis to Tara Harding Lee who passed away in 2002. In his words: "She was our number one fan, for a short time, I got to know the beauty of her soul". It didn't take me long to be absorbed in it; almost hypnotized by the very mood of "Things That Were". I just have the feeling I'm in a haunted house, my ear against the wall, listening to the songs and music from the very souls haunting that house. Sad and haunting.

"Things That Were" is a wonderful venture into the gothic realm. Almost scary if one considers the fact that it was dedicated to a departed friend who used to be a fan. There ends the scariness because in no way, shape or form is this opus a threat to your completeness. Quite the opposite since it is all poetry and sadness following a shadowy melodic path. Angelic female vocals give the right vibration to the lyrics. Backing vocals (male) are also present in some passages. A lot of clean acoustic or electric guitar parts along with panoramic background keys are painting the ghostly scenery depicted in the compositions. No speed or screams involved. Only good melodies from beginning to end.

My own favorite dark lights: 'Ever After Fading', 'Autumn Falls', 'The Tiny Drawer' and 'Such As Mirrors'.

Bottom Line: Thus the atmosphere became gothic...

Categorical Rating Breakdown:

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

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Felix on March 14, 2023.

Ildskaer hail from Denmark and do not even try to hide this fact on their debut. “Den rædsomste nat” is a concept album which deals with the British bombardment of Copenhagen in the year 1807. The Royal Navy did not like the peaceful position of the Danish government that did not want to support the Empire against Napoleon. Of course, it was not allowed to refuse the beautiful, pure and good intentions of those who “rule the waves”. They know what's good for you! 3.000 Danish people, most of them civilians, died.

The fantastic artwork shows a fiery scenario of this British adventure excursion (the burning Frue Kirke), the lyrics are, of course, not in English and the same goes for the sixteen-page book which is added to the vinyl version. And the music, to put the focus on the most important content of “Den rædsomste nat” (the most dreadful night), also does not have its main influence from English speaking musicians. Comparable to their compatriots of Í Myrkri, Ildskaer’s approach is not too far away from the one that catapulted the French speaking scene from Quebec on the global metal map. This means we get very homogeneous songs with a smooth, natural and seeming endless flow. No surprising or even inadequate twists and turns occur, each and every part goes hand in hand with the ones before and after it. Additionally, all songs follow a very similar approach and so the seven tracks form a kind of closed society.

Unfortunately, the relatively dull production robs the songs of a few percent of their natural power. The mix lacks ups and downs, but one gets used to it. From this follows that the sound does not hurt the overall impression significantly. It feels good to listen to the fast-paced, opulently designed tracks with an average length of more than six minutes. Especially “I korpsets rækker” bundles the strengths of the Danish duo. It mixes rapid sections with some instrumental parts that feature a desperate, melodic tone sequence. Yes, the album does not suffer from a lack of melodies, but it also does not fall victim to an overdose of “nice” harmonies. At least the raw, throaty voice of the lead vocalist leaves no doubt that we are listening to a black metal album – and it’s a pretty great one.

Ildskaer did not forget to integrate some verses of Danish poets in their lyrics. Not only that, those of the very strong “Matrosen” seem to be done completely by one of them in 1832. This way of proceeding and the original topic of the lyrics show both the patriotic and holistic approach of Ildskaer. Thank God that all these details are not at the expense of the music. Okay, the guitars do not create absolutely outstanding riffs or lines, but they lend the songs enough power, vitality and aroma to enjoy them. Therefore I can recommend this album (which is immune to a creeping loss of quality throughout the 45 minutes) to every fan of evenly flowing yet not monotonous black metal.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10

Review by Felix on March 14, 2023.

Ildskaer hail from Denmark and do not even try to hide this fact on their debut. “Den rædsomste nat” is a concept album which deals with the British bombardment of Copenhagen in the year 1807. The Royal Navy did not like the peaceful position of the Danish government that did not want to support the Empire against Napoleon. Of course, it was not allowed to refuse the beautiful, pure and good intentions of those who “rule the waves”. They know what's good for you! 3.000 Danish people, most of them civilians, died.

The fantastic artwork shows a fiery scenario of this British adventure excursion (the burning Frue Kirke), the lyrics are, of course, not in English and the same goes for the sixteen-page book which is added to the vinyl version. And the music, to put the focus on the most important content of “Den rædsomste nat” (the most dreadful night), also does not have its main influence from English speaking musicians. Comparable to their compatriots of Í Myrkri, Ildskaer’s approach is not too far away from the one that catapulted the French speaking scene from Quebec on the global metal map. This means we get very homogeneous songs with a smooth, natural and seeming endless flow. No surprising or even inadequate twists and turns occur, each and every part goes hand in hand with the ones before and after it. Additionally, all songs follow a very similar approach and so the seven tracks form a kind of closed society.

Unfortunately, the relatively dull production robs the songs of a few percent of their natural power. The mix lacks ups and downs, but one gets used to it. From this follows that the sound does not hurt the overall impression significantly. It feels good to listen to the fast-paced, opulently designed tracks with an average length of more than six minutes. Especially “I korpsets rækker” bundles the strengths of the Danish duo. It mixes rapid sections with some instrumental parts that feature a desperate, melodic tone sequence. Yes, the album does not suffer from a lack of melodies, but it also does not fall victim to an overdose of “nice” harmonies. At least the raw, throaty voice of the lead vocalist leaves no doubt that we are listening to a black metal album – and it’s a pretty great one.

Ildskaer did not forget to integrate some verses of Danish poets in their lyrics. Not only that, those of the very strong “Matrosen” seem to be done completely by one of them in 1832. This way of proceeding and the original topic of the lyrics show both the patriotic and holistic approach of Ildskaer. Thank God that all these details are not at the expense of the music. Okay, the guitars do not create absolutely outstanding riffs or lines, but they lend the songs enough power, vitality and aroma to enjoy them. Therefore I can recommend this album (which is immune to a creeping loss of quality throughout the 45 minutes) to every fan of evenly flowing yet not monotonous black metal.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10