Review by Carl on December 5, 2021.

From the first notes it is made clear here we're not in for some sensitive Kenny G alike shit, but a harsh dose of black thrashing, death-flecked underground metal, straight out of the dark lands of Finland. If you have any affinity for the style, nothing on this album is going to surprise you in any way, but it's a sweet blast of frenzied insanity for sure.

The first band I thought of listening to this album was Bestial Mockery. The growling cavernous vocals, simple grinding riffs and speedy percussive assault in combination with songs brimming with punk fueled energy is an undeniable common feature of both bands, but other like-minded bands like Nunslaughter, old Sarcofago and fellow Finnish terror squad Violent Hammer aren't that far away either. Just like these bands, Evil Angel combine early Sodom-like riffing with jackhammering drums and a raw and hoarse vocal delivery. They don't waste any time in kicking the point home, as the band speed through their songs with gusto, only loosening on the accelerator for short breaks in between the raging insanity. The only exception is 'Crawling From The Grave', which focuses for the most part on a mid-tempo stomp, conjuring up the spirit of the slower numbers of old Bathory, providing a cool change of pace. For the biggest part, Evil Angel plow through their material with a high-octane energy that had me thinking of the early releases of Brazilian bands from the 80's and early 90's such as Vulcano, Expulser and earliest Sepultura. Wrapped in a raw but clear production, this album ticks all the boxes you'd want from an act in the style.

Musically there is nothing you haven't heard before, but the unhinged energy, punishing delivery and raw power make it a riveting listen nonetheless, and let's face it, anyone into this sort of music just can't get enough of bands like this, and that includes me.

It's like Liberace said: too much of a good thing is wonderful. Especially if it's black/thrash metal.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by JD on December 3, 2008.

I researched things behind this band's name, and came up with something interesting. Cyaegha is the name of a mythical beast of hell from what seems to be German folklore. It seems that this beast actually had a cult dedicated to it in a few villages until somewhere around the early 19th century. As I listen to the debut album while looking up the information of the name of the band... I can see why they picked the name. I wanna join the cult now!!

Hailing from the laid-back state Virginia, Cyaegha creeps out of that tranquil and picturesque area and ends up unleashing something that is far removed from that area. Mixing ear bisecting Death Metal with a generous attacking of malevolent Black Metal stylings... this band thunders out and unleashes themselves for the world like a tidal wave of guttural vocals and soaring guitar work.

Uncompromising as anything out there, they also show just how musically tight they truly are. Technically distinguished, Cyaegha show that extreme metal is way more than just a whole lot thrashing going on. I loved the melodies because they were catchy, yet so damned heavy as well, and the way they used influences from HP Lovecraft among other authors.... they have amazingly melded all of that together and have got one of the best metal bands I have came across.

Cyaegha is truly a band that has so much going for them in the intelligence department, not to mention the fire to play amazing music. Truly they are equally thinkers as well as heavy hitters... There is no substitute for either of those in metal. The fact that they possess both in great amounts... makes them so dangerous. So if you want to give your brain a workout, as well as your neck muscles... this is the band that fuels the need for both.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

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

Rating: 8.8 out of 10