Review by Wiley on May 19, 2009.

I should preface this review with a warning: If you do not possess an open mind, do not bother. Sure I could add exceptions, but those without the open mindedness to take in this CD are not worthy of partaking in the journey.

Dol Theeta hails from Greece with their particular brand of experimental music worlds. Begining with sampling explaining light hypnosis with backwards tracking of whispering creating a ghostly portal to flow through. From the second track on you are treated to some simply stunning synthscapes, and were that all I probably would be reviewing this elsewhere. Through patience one finds themselves floating in and out amongst frequencies and vibrations, only to be pummeled by guitar, vocal, and drum treatments abound. This guitar is carried with a moderate mix,and one would expect a very industrial take, this would not be a bad assumption, except for the guitars do not land flat without character. Bends and harmonics add personality to the rythms, and the leads are well thought out and executed. The vocals on the other hand are a completely different matter. Operatic soprano Kortessa really outdoes her role, with full harmonies left and right. Very soothing and well done, this is one of the few times I think they fit more as an instrument than plain vocals.

To completely dispel what may also be lurking in your mind at this point of the drums, becuz the drums are so organic and on point.
The drums move very naturally and alive with groove and hook to provide another bit of diversion from the synths that JUST DONT STOP........When a track ends, I am left anxious as to what could possibly be next. Thus would be the point here, with a universe that continues to expand on and on. If one were to have to try to compare this to anyone I am afraid the closest I could come in genre bending would be Arcturus' last album, or some of the later Ulver material. If I start doing that though, I would have to recommend also to fans of Coil, and early Current 93. So lets not go there and move on to the issues at hand.

I am simply amazed at how full this disc sounds, this is so well composed for the movements in which they wish to travel. Dol Theeta truly are doing unique things, blurring the lines between many genre's too vast to name, and doing so extremely tastefully. It would probably also be wise to point out their attention to quality and detail, as so many bands get bogged down with such details and lose focus of the vision originally sighted. Even their artwork suggests a good bit of thought as to what to use, and what a wonderful visual representation in vivid color adourning not only my promo sleeve here - but well secured artwork as well printed on the CD - what use of space!!!!!!!!! I do so wish them as they continue on their journey treading some new otherworldly paths with their next release.

To leave you without giving a suggested manner of listening would be a sin. Dim the lights, prepare a calming relaxing concoction and grab your nicestm headphones. Lie back on your couch, close your eyes and get drowned.........

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 7.5
Atmosphere:9.0
Production: 7.5
Originality: 10
Overall: 8.0

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

Review by Wiley on May 19, 2009.

I should preface this review with a warning: If you do not possess an open mind, do not bother. Sure I could add exceptions, but those without the open mindedness to take in this CD are not worthy of partaking in the journey.

Dol Theeta hails from Greece with their particular brand of experimental music worlds. Begining with sampling explaining light hypnosis with backwards tracking of whispering creating a ghostly portal to flow through. From the second track on you are treated to some simply stunning synthscapes, and were that all I probably would be reviewing this elsewhere. Through patience one finds themselves floating in and out amongst frequencies and vibrations, only to be pummeled by guitar, vocal, and drum treatments abound. This guitar is carried with a moderate mix,and one would expect a very industrial take, this would not be a bad assumption, except for the guitars do not land flat without character. Bends and harmonics add personality to the rythms, and the leads are well thought out and executed. The vocals on the other hand are a completely different matter. Operatic soprano Kortessa really outdoes her role, with full harmonies left and right. Very soothing and well done, this is one of the few times I think they fit more as an instrument than plain vocals.

To completely dispel what may also be lurking in your mind at this point of the drums, becuz the drums are so organic and on point.
The drums move very naturally and alive with groove and hook to provide another bit of diversion from the synths that JUST DONT STOP........When a track ends, I am left anxious as to what could possibly be next. Thus would be the point here, with a universe that continues to expand on and on. If one were to have to try to compare this to anyone I am afraid the closest I could come in genre bending would be Arcturus' last album, or some of the later Ulver material. If I start doing that though, I would have to recommend also to fans of Coil, and early Current 93. So lets not go there and move on to the issues at hand.

I am simply amazed at how full this disc sounds, this is so well composed for the movements in which they wish to travel. Dol Theeta truly are doing unique things, blurring the lines between many genre's too vast to name, and doing so extremely tastefully. It would probably also be wise to point out their attention to quality and detail, as so many bands get bogged down with such details and lose focus of the vision originally sighted. Even their artwork suggests a good bit of thought as to what to use, and what a wonderful visual representation in vivid color adourning not only my promo sleeve here - but well secured artwork as well printed on the CD - what use of space!!!!!!!!! I do so wish them as they continue on their journey treading some new otherworldly paths with their next release.

To leave you without giving a suggested manner of listening would be a sin. Dim the lights, prepare a calming relaxing concoction and grab your nicestm headphones. Lie back on your couch, close your eyes and get drowned.........

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 7.5
Atmosphere:9.0
Production: 7.5
Originality: 10
Overall: 8.0

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

Review by Michael on February 21, 2021.

Polish band Chainsword from Warsaw was until now still a relatively blank sheet since they have so far released only two singles. But that could change pretty quickly with their debut album Blightmarch. Even if the cover seems a bit infantile, it is somehow also cult. But well, ugly covers don't always speak for bad music, as you can see on the example of old Protector albums.

Musically, the Poles fish in the waters in which Bolt Thrower, Asphyx and consorts have already been around or are still doing. Sawing riffs paired with thundering drums are to be found here primarily, sometimes the band shifts down a gear. But the whole thing comes across as extremely brutal and the two singers contribute their part through deep shouting, overlaid with high-pitched screams, which reminds me in parts of very old Deicide albums. What comes across quite appealing, are the interspersed guitar solos, which make the whole thing varied and well worth listening to.

Lyrically, there is a colorful mixture of stories from the Second World War ('Eastern Front 1942: Moscow' and 'Eastern Front 1943: Stalingrad') and other visions of horror caused by weapons and war, here miss something the thread, but that is beside the point with the convincing music.

The production is basically well done and in my opinion quite appealing. The drums sometimes sound a bit dull but otherwise the album sounds like a death metal album must sound in my eyes. Blightmarch was produced at Primate 666 Studio (vocals, bass and guitars), the drums were recorded at Nebula Studios. Kind of strange to record the instruments in two different places, maybe it's Corona. But okay, the result is right.

Recommended songs of the album are 'Horus the Chosen One', which has quite interesting riffs in parts and is a very catchy track and 'Exterminatus', which grabs the listener with Bolt Thrower-like riff rolls and groovy melodies. 'Daemonculaba' (a rather strange title) is in my eyes the most unique track of the album, which has quite gripping melody arcs and riffs, which also again very strongly remind of the mentioned influences (especially in "...for Victory" times). The only song that offers me personally a little less, because it is slow and somewhat monotonous, is 'Blightmarch'. Here a little more variety would have made sense.

The only question I have now is why the band has adopted such strange, sometimes somewhat silly pseudonyms like Herr Brummbär (vocals), Sarin Spreizer (guitar) or Wutender Ente (bass). The other two are not better. If one already takes German terms, one should take at least suitable and/or correctly written ones.

Remains the conclusion. All who like bands like Darkened, Just Before Dawn or Memoriam and longingly sob after the old Bolt Thrower times, should open their ears and listen to it despite the strange cover, which does not necessarily invite buying it. Who knows, maybe it is more convincing than the new Memoriam?

Rating: 8 out of 10