Review by Jeger on July 4, 2024.

Rotting Christ, Dissection and Inquisition - in my opinion, no three bands have ever done black metal better. Inquisition? Literal icons for trueness in black metal. Their discography a genuine one that includes gems like their debut LP, “Into the Infernal Regions of the Ancient Cult”, 2004’s “Magnificent Glorification of Lucifer”, their 2020 masterpiece, “Black Mass For a Mass Grave” and of course their most recent opus, “Veneration of Medieval Mysticism and Cosmological Violence”. Yeah, known for their ridiculously long song and album titles as well… 

Today, I’ve gathered you round ritual’s fire to celebrate Inquisition’s aforementioned “Magnificent Glorification of Lucifer”. To honor His Highest! To glorify The Light Bringer, but not through majesty or elaboration. Let us gather as humble hordes now before his grande presence. What I love about “Magnificent Glorification of Lucifer” is its simplicity. Typically, Luciferian black metal albums tend to be radical, whereas here we have earthy cuts like “Of Blood and Darkness We Are Born” that evoke images of wretched sorcerers glaring into their crystals for signs of Him - toiling in the throes of ritual to unlock the secrets of his Cosmic Throne - their rabble in awe before them. Inquisition began their journey within the pits of the genre. Their first two records dredge the depths of the world of Satanism and the occult. The music a no bullshit testament to the legitimacy of true black metal: no frills, wicked and Satanic to the bone. “Magnificent Glorification of Lucifer” saw Inquisition setting upon the path toward evolution for the first time. There’s still that gut-wrenching torque to it and those lowly melodies but a little more dynamic this time around; something more palatable even.

 “Eternal Loyalty to Our Lord Satan” - a proper ode to His Infernal Majesty with all warmth and comfort radiating from every passage. You can feel His blessed energy and his austere gaze as they settle into your core. Only someone who genuinely understands Him and who has felt His touch can make music like this. This is why “Magnificent Glorification of Lucifer” is one of this duo’s finest albums. It doesn’t offer the same thrill ride experience as “Obscure Verses For the Multiverse” or the genre-dominant power of their last two records, but this is TRUE black metal we’re talking here, and while production may be crisp, as I mentioned before, it’s in the energy. In tune, in sync and in stream with what feels like uncut demonic power and yet soothing enough to lull you into a trance state. I’ve heard Luciferian black metal albums created by actual occult practitioners that can’t even touch how real this thing is…

 Champions of the genre whose product only sweetens with age. Inquisition’s latest album is arguably their greatest, and as the Scandinavians scramble for position atop their own legendary scene’s highest peaks, Inquisition quietly release music a world away that simply dominates pretty much everything that Europe has to offer. And it has always been so. Oft-overlooked because of their locale and even condemned for their controversies, but undeniably one of the greatest black metal duos to have ever struck a chord or to have blasted a beat. And so we homage The Father now as we take in “Magnificent Glorification of Lucifer”. May he illuminate your path and may his wisdom be with you always. Hails be unto Inquisition! 

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by JD on December 28, 2012.

Veteran Axeman Mark Shelton of Manilla Road fame is one of the most underrated musicians ever. He is one of my all time favorite musicians and he has deserved to be recognized as that for ever. Mark and two others he has assembled has come forth with a new solo project that will place him squarely at the top of the metal heap. Hellwell is the name of this project, metal is its mission.

This is a no brainer to be categorized. This is a 100% old school metal onslaught that three not-so-young men have graced onto the world. There is no Mathcore/Metalcore, Death, Nu-Metal or Groove Metal here - this is the way metal started out as and should be. With effortless melodic riffs, soaring solos that are razor sharp and having vocals that meld the low power of Lemmy with this odd sort of soaring of King Diamond vocals that are tied together with these haunting sort of keyboards that actually work. Metal has returned to its foundations, and it is called Hellwell.

"Beyond The Boundaries Of Sin" is a perfect album to show a true example of some early metal stylings that used keyboards to accent the heaviness, and lets it be known that it can have the freshness and heaviness of todays metal without losing the classic sort of sound. Songs like the infectious thunder of 'Tomb Of The Unnamed One' not to mention the horror movie inspired 'Eaters Of The Dead' shows just how old school metal is still relevant even in the scene now.

Gotta admit that this was a surprise, even though Mr. Shelton is someone that has always been the innovator in metal. Who else could mix Old School metal, Doom Metal feels with mid 70's era Deep Purple and come up with an completely addicting album that would satisfy old bangers and young thrashers all at the same time. Seems to me the veterans of metal, no matter what genre it is, know exactly how to do this and ending up giving some of the best metal around today.

Hellwell’s album is being released officially in January of 2013 - plan hard to get this album.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 9.5
Production: 9
Originality: 9
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Review by JD on December 28, 2012.

Veteran Axeman Mark Shelton of Manilla Road fame is one of the most underrated musicians ever. He is one of my all time favorite musicians and he has deserved to be recognized as that for ever. Mark and two others he has assembled has come forth with a new solo project that will place him squarely at the top of the metal heap. Hellwell is the name of this project, metal is its mission.

This is a no brainer to be categorized. This is a 100% old school metal onslaught that three not-so-young men have graced onto the world. There is no Mathcore/Metalcore, Death, Nu-Metal or Groove Metal here - this is the way metal started out as and should be. With effortless melodic riffs, soaring solos that are razor sharp and having vocals that meld the low power of Lemmy with this odd sort of soaring of King Diamond vocals that are tied together with these haunting sort of keyboards that actually work. Metal has returned to its foundations, and it is called Hellwell.

"Beyond The Boundaries Of Sin" is a perfect album to show a true example of some early metal stylings that used keyboards to accent the heaviness, and lets it be known that it can have the freshness and heaviness of todays metal without losing the classic sort of sound. Songs like the infectious thunder of 'Tomb Of The Unnamed One' not to mention the horror movie inspired 'Eaters Of The Dead' shows just how old school metal is still relevant even in the scene now.

Gotta admit that this was a surprise, even though Mr. Shelton is someone that has always been the innovator in metal. Who else could mix Old School metal, Doom Metal feels with mid 70's era Deep Purple and come up with an completely addicting album that would satisfy old bangers and young thrashers all at the same time. Seems to me the veterans of metal, no matter what genre it is, know exactly how to do this and ending up giving some of the best metal around today.

Hellwell’s album is being released officially in January of 2013 - plan hard to get this album.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 9.5
Production: 9
Originality: 9
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.4 out of 10