Review by JD on September 11, 2013.

The Ukraine has birthed a new breed of Extreme Metal scene that is one of the raw and fully unforgiving ones in the world. It’s developed in a very short amount of time to have innovation as well as some of the most vicious metal ever produced but by the same token, the scene has sometimes misses the mark in what they do.

Paganland is deemed to be a Pagan Black Metal outfit from the Ukraine, signed to Svarga Records. The tag is very much misleading – as the band plays a weird concoction of metal that is far from the mark here. There is some minor attributes of Black Metal and Pagan Metal appearing here, but it is not the core here. I hear shadings of Viking, Doom, Power, Folk and even some basic metal thrown in to the pot… all of which formed into the band’s sound.

I was rather disappointed with the band, musically. The album itself was recorded well, but the power was not there. With keyboards that were used too much, nature sounds that were overly tacked on, to the almost predictable riffs that had little substance to them – I was bored with it all. I was looking forward to heavier guitars and power drums and nasty vocals – I ended up with a completely ‘sanitized’ version of Pagan Metal that would be akin to Slayer doing a jingle for baby formula or some wart remover product… another words, it’s just wrong.

Being such amazing musicians cannot save this album for Paganland. Put this album straight in the 'no' pile and perhaps get a better representation of Pagan Black Metal (I suggest Odious or Finntroll or the legendary Bathory for some Pagan/Viking action).

This was one time when I was listening to metal, and I wanted the hour out of my life I used back. It was truly what I felt… and that is fucked.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Production: 7
Originality: 4
Overall: 4

Rating: 4.6 out of 10

Review by Jack on November 21, 2002.

I am usually not one for the arts of pure death metal. It’s incessant, monotonous and for most of the time, very boring. A lot has been said of Hate Eternal and their newest album “King of All Kings” (it got KKKKK in Kerrang!, which is certainly saying something). However, the majority of critique for “King of All Kings” has been nothing but admiration. Much of this excitement has been nothing but pure hype and bandwagon supporting, I am sure. “King of All Kings” is undoubtedly a very good album, but it certainly doesn’t reach the greatness that some willingly attribute to it.

The trio of Anderson, Roddy and Rutan certainly know their stuff; there is no doubting that. Countless years in some of the biggest known acts (you all know of whom I am speaking) have assured us that Hate Eternal will be nothing less than a band that creates sparkling death metal albums time and time again. They are simply too professional to do otherwise. Derek ‘One Take’ Roddy’s drumming is absolutely superb and he continually beats the skins without any lapse for the entire duration of “King of All Kings”. Rutan’s vocals are devastating and morbid, suiting the atmosphere and lyrics of Hate Eternal perfectly. The bass guitar work of Jared Anderson is as consistent and vigil as ever, providing a perfect underlay to the shredding of the aforementioned Rutan on guitar.

Notice how I am not really enthusiastic about this record? ”King of All Kings” a very good record, don’t get me wrong, but it doesn’t fill the emptiness inside me that I guess I was hoping it would do. It’s proficient, reliable death metal, but it’s really not much more.

Bottom Line: If you are into death metal and most extreme brands of metal, you could probably pick up ”King of All Kings” in a heartbeat. However, if you more accustomed to the more obscure takes on death sound, then perhaps I might advise you try before you buy. While this album might be discussed as a classic for many millennia to come, it’s not the sort of hat that fits every head.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 7
Originality: 7
Overall: 6.5

Rating: 7.5 out of 10