Review by Krys on July 11, 2004.

Can someone wake me up? I must be dreaming, I think I've heard a perfect death metal album! Holy shit, it wasn't a dream! It was Decapitated's third masterpiece The Negation. If anyone had any doubts that those four young men belong to the world's first class of death metal, then trust me after listening to this album all your reservations will be put to the rest.

The first thing that struck me the most initially was the variety and diversity of all compositions. Each track differs in style, mood and arrangements; making The Negation one of the most unique albums where each song has its own character and is easily recognizable. On the other hand, don't think that Decapitated slapped 8 unrelated compositions together and made an album out of it.

Compared to their highly acclaimed second effort Nihility, The Negation focuses more on heaviness and groove rather than speed and technical abilities which makes it more accessible to the casual fan and will bring another dimension to their high octane live shows. Tracks like 'Three-Dimensional Defect' or 'Lying and Weak' will drive metal pits crazy with its harmonized riffs and a tight rhythm section. It's actually impossible to pick one track as an example of one style or another since each one of them is so complete and full of different tempos and forms. Decapitated made sure that every death metal fan will be fully satisfied.

Musically the boys are as tight as ever and every single aspect of their music is taken to the next level. Sauron's vocals are deeper and much stronger than his previous efforts; Vogg's guitar and composition skills matured tremendously over the last few years and while overall feeling suggests less technical output, every track is filled with tasteful but still very technical licks and the highest quality solos. Top it off with Vitek's and Martin's rhythm section and you'll end up with the most destructive and angry album you've heard in a while.

And the last, but not least, aspect of this album worth mentioning is the very distinctive style and sound that this band created, making Decapitated not a clone of what's already out there but a driving force by which death metal albums will be judged and compared to in the future. Death metal doesn't get any better.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

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

Rating: 9.6 out of 10

Review by Felix on December 5, 2021.

The Finnish black metal sky is full of darkly shining stars and the one with the name Mimorium is rather unknown so far. That’s unfair, because the guys from the location with the catchy name Pieksämäki, Etelä-Savo are able to create ice titans that reach the high level of the songs of better-known compatriots. Indeed, Mimorium do not suffer from an overdose of individual features, but neither Aegrus nor Behexen have the copyright for cold, dense and occasionally melodic black metal. And so it comes as no surprise that already the opener sends pleasant shivers down my spine, although I wonder about its title. 'I Am What We Are' – for me, this sounds like “My Arm Is Your Legs”, but maybe this is just a typical problem of a non-native speaker. Anyway, this song provides all characteristics I want to hear when it comes to black metal from Suomi: an exciting beginning with militaristic drum rolls and a riff that slowly creeps out of the womb of hatred, clanking guitars, guttural and passionate vocals, intense high-speed sequences, an almost perfect mix of aggression (80%) and melody (20%), a bitter cold atmosphere and last but not least a coherent overall picture.

Fortunately, the opener does not degrade the following tracks to mere extras. From my point of view, the dragging 'Regret Everything In You' lacks expressive power and it seems to be integrated for the sake of (misunderstood) variability. I don’t say it’s a throwaway track, but already the next song, 'Left Hand Of North', brings back to mind the true strength of the band. Restless, hostile and equipped with freezing cold melodies, the piece races through the snowy woods of eastern Scandinavia. Mimorium pay nearly constant attention to intensity. They do not fall victim to chaos, but the whirlwind they create is impressive. The good production also contributes to this. It has the charm of a predator on the hunt, always willing to rip its victim apart. Maybe it is no coincidence that the closer is called 'Hunter'.

All in all, the homogeneously structured output provides an entertaining and ferocious listening experience. It clocks in at 41 minutes and leaves no questions open. Fans of bands like Malum should lend an ear to Blood Of Qayin, supporters of rather atmospheric than vehement black metal better stay away from this explosive full-length. However, one thing is certain: black metal and Finland is still a very thrilling and strong combination. I know, some sad creatures will moan about the missing originality (which is already indicated by the generic artwork), but that’s stupid. These dudes should eat their chocolate donut with pepper sauce, and they will realize that originality is no value in itself. While they do so, I prefer to listen to albums like Blood Of Qayin.

Rating: 8.3 out of 10

Review by Felix on December 5, 2021.

The Finnish black metal sky is full of darkly shining stars and the one with the name Mimorium is rather unknown so far. That’s unfair, because the guys from the location with the catchy name Pieksämäki, Etelä-Savo are able to create ice titans that reach the high level of the songs of better-known compatriots. Indeed, Mimorium do not suffer from an overdose of individual features, but neither Aegrus nor Behexen have the copyright for cold, dense and occasionally melodic black metal. And so it comes as no surprise that already the opener sends pleasant shivers down my spine, although I wonder about its title. 'I Am What We Are' – for me, this sounds like “My Arm Is Your Legs”, but maybe this is just a typical problem of a non-native speaker. Anyway, this song provides all characteristics I want to hear when it comes to black metal from Suomi: an exciting beginning with militaristic drum rolls and a riff that slowly creeps out of the womb of hatred, clanking guitars, guttural and passionate vocals, intense high-speed sequences, an almost perfect mix of aggression (80%) and melody (20%), a bitter cold atmosphere and last but not least a coherent overall picture.

Fortunately, the opener does not degrade the following tracks to mere extras. From my point of view, the dragging 'Regret Everything In You' lacks expressive power and it seems to be integrated for the sake of (misunderstood) variability. I don’t say it’s a throwaway track, but already the next song, 'Left Hand Of North', brings back to mind the true strength of the band. Restless, hostile and equipped with freezing cold melodies, the piece races through the snowy woods of eastern Scandinavia. Mimorium pay nearly constant attention to intensity. They do not fall victim to chaos, but the whirlwind they create is impressive. The good production also contributes to this. It has the charm of a predator on the hunt, always willing to rip its victim apart. Maybe it is no coincidence that the closer is called 'Hunter'.

All in all, the homogeneously structured output provides an entertaining and ferocious listening experience. It clocks in at 41 minutes and leaves no questions open. Fans of bands like Malum should lend an ear to Blood Of Qayin, supporters of rather atmospheric than vehement black metal better stay away from this explosive full-length. However, one thing is certain: black metal and Finland is still a very thrilling and strong combination. I know, some sad creatures will moan about the missing originality (which is already indicated by the generic artwork), but that’s stupid. These dudes should eat their chocolate donut with pepper sauce, and they will realize that originality is no value in itself. While they do so, I prefer to listen to albums like Blood Of Qayin.

Rating: 8.3 out of 10