Angra | Nightmare Lodge | Iron Monkey | Monstrosity | Morgion | Antagony | Soil | Cathedral | Mercyful Fate | Gamma Ray | Six Feet Under | Steel Prophet | Eldritch | New Eden | Vader | Sermon | Hades Almighty | Desekrator | Nocturnal Rites | Amorphis
Rating: 9.5/10
Tracks: Once Ordained, No Jesus No Beast, Failures For Gods, Unsaved, God Made Filth, Stench Of High Heaven, Your Angel Died, The Devil I Know
Just as expected, Immolation harnessed the death metal beast once again and have blown 99% of their competition out of the water.
Failures For Gods is the perfect followup to their masterpiece, Here In After. The sound is very organic, reminding me at times of Incantation's latest. No triggers, no effects... it sounds like a band just tearing the fuck out of their instruments. True to Immolation form, the arrangements are a bit odd. Atypical timing is used. The vocals are gutteral yet well-annunciated.
The cover and inlay art perfectly capture the mood of the music, both of which, I must say, are quite diabolical. The first two tracks, "Once Ordained" and "No Jesus, No Beast" set the pace for the rest of the album and it is a fucking blast of brimstone and hellfire. Blasphemous lyrics are laid over music that, on its own, just bleeds with darkness, anger and hatred and could well stand on its own and still get the message of Failures For Gods across. A milestone in brutal death metal. Those of darkness, welcome the new Immolation with open arms...
"Can You Hear Us... Death To Jesus!" - Al Kikuras
Angra - Fireworks (Century Media, '99)
Rating: 6/10
Tracks: Piston didn't tell me
Someone get me a tampon, I feel like a girl. The shit coming out of my radio while I played this album really gives me douche chills. This is some serious pussy shit here. I heard really good things about Angra and was very excited about receiving Fireworks. BIG disappointment. These guys have been around for a while, but their sound it completely carbon copy power metal with no power. The lead singer doesn't have any life, and the song writing is just boring.
None of the sings stand out, so I can't pick a favorite. They all just become one giant ball of power metal mediocrity, each one running into the next song with no creativity to distinguish one from the next.
Sorry guys, I wanted to love you, but you guys can't stand up to the top level of power metal (Gamma Ray, Abraxas, Blind Guardian, or old school Maiden). Go home, grow some balls, and come see me again when you grow up a little. - Piston Rod
Nightmare Lodge - Blind Minatures (Red Stream, '99)
Rating: 7/10
Tracks: Fugitive, Attempt At Resistance, Locked Memories, Tenia 
(Still Hooked Version), Blind Miniatures, Surrounded By White Eyes, Labyrinth Without Walls, Extinction
The band's slogan seems to be "War is everywhere... and everyone is fighting." I expected the music to reflect that sentiment, but rather found it to be somewhat tame synth music that is not bad by a long shot, but also not overly exciting. Hardcore fans of the genre might do well to check this out, but I found it to be a bit of a snoozer, more appropriate for relaxing than bludgeoning someone. I'll stick with my copy of Valefor's Invokation ov Forneus for the real deal, thank you. - Al Kikuras
Iron Monkey - Our Problem (Earache, '99)
Rating: 8/10
Tracks: Bad Year, Supagorgonizer,Boss Keloid, I.R.M.S., House Almighty,2 Golden Rules, Joint Spiritual Whip
I didn't expect to like this one as much as I do. I got the impression Iron Monkey were going to be a disappointing hardcore band, but I am glad to say I was mistaken!
Rather, Iron Monkey play a sludgy, doomish brand of grinding metal that brings EYEHATEGOD to mind. A Sabbath influence is heavy throughout with vocals more fitting to a black metal band. Seriously, this guy could hang with the best of them. It is the vocals that really make this one sit well with me. Feedback is used liberally throughout to great effect. The songs never really cross over into the speedier territories and the album drags a bit as it tends to stay in two gears: slow and Cathedral-paced, but overall this is a fine example of sludgecore done well. Now that EYEHATEGOD are a thing of the past, perhaps Iron Monkey might grow to fill the large shoes they left behind. With Our Problem, the boys are well on their way. - Al Kikuras
Monstrosity - In Dark Purity (Olympic, '99)
Rating: 8.5/10
Tracks: The Hunt, Destroying Divinity, Shapeless Domination, The Angels Venom, All Souls Consumed, Dust To Dust, Suffering To The Conquered , The Eye Of Judgement, Perpetual War, Embraced By Apathy, Hymns Of Tragedy, In Dark Purity, The Pillars Of Drear, Angel Of Death
Not quite the monster I anticipated after seeing Monstrosity live on the Extremities tour with Broken Hope a few years back (did the album really take THAT long to come out??), the band's latest effort, In Dark Purity is still quite an impressive slab of death metal. In the live situation, for some reason, the music came off as much more technical and frantic. Not quite as straightforward as the tracks that comprise I.D.P.. Not to say that the musicianship isn't excellent... it is, and the arrangements are not typical, but they aren't entirely mindblowing either.
But, enough about what this album isn't. Let's get on to what it IS. In Dark Purity is a prime example of hungry death metal, calling back to the days of Altars of Madness and Consuming Impulse. Bands like Devilyn and Diabolic have really embraced this style of late. Monstrosity have been at this considerably longer than both, however, and their veteran status shows in the ability to release an album over 50 minutes long that does not falter or drag for a single second. New vocalist Jason Avery (although "new" is a relative term as he has been in the band a few years) does an ample job filling Corpsegrinder's shoes. His style is actually much like George's, tempered with a bit of classic David Vincent.
If you want death metal, you've got it here. No bullshit at all. Geniune article. The real deal. Intense from start to finish. Cool cover of "Angel of Death," too although I sorely miss Araya's scream in the beginning. The growl just don't cut it... - Al Kikuras
Morgion - Solinari (Relapse, '99)
Rating: 9/10
Tracks: The Serpentine Scrolls / Descent to Arawn, Canticle, Solinari, Nightfall Infernal, All the Glory...All the Loss, Blight, ...The Last Sunrise
I'd like to start off by saying that I am not all that much a fan of doom. It's not so much an aversion to the music, but rather a general lack of interest; I've never felt the need to listn to it before (life is depressing enough, hehe). However, I could not pass up the chance to get my hands on the new Morgion. The last album was so powerful and utterly depressing, truly wonderful deathy doom that just begged for end of existence. The new album takes them in a completely new direction. It is much "cleaner"; more acoustic guitars and keyboard effects are used, the lyrics are spoken as well as growled, and the tempo is generally slowed down to a crawl. So while Morgion is still the same band, they have taken a more "mature" approach to the music, employing different tempos and varied instrumentation of all sorts.
This is in my mind what atmospheric doom was meant to sound like. The guitars sounds incredibly raw; each is played in an agonizingly slow, trailing off leaving a feeling of crushing hopelessness in its wake. The drums emphasize the the guitars very well adding the appropriate percussive effects when required, and never become droll or redundant. Keyboards drift in and out with a rather etherial quality to them, emphasizing certain sections and adding the appropriate atmosphere. I was very impressed with Gary Griffith's synth playing, as it perfectly supported the music, and did not detract or otherwise interfere with any part of the album. The songs are often counterpointed and anticipation is built by a very melancholy acoustic guitar and spoken lyrics (as opposed to lead singer Jeremy Peto's raw, painful growls). The new approach to the music (not just straight forward death/doom like in Amongst Majestic Ruin) shows that Morgion is a very talented and creative group of musicians, able to take their music in new directions and expand their artistic vision.
There are a few elements that kept with album from attaining the status of a perfect 10. For one, the bass is very sadly lacking; this is a grievious error in production, as a heavy low end could have made this one of the most crushing doom albums ever. Also, certain themes within songs tend to get redundant after a while, especially on the first track. The music tends to drag on and leave off without really going anywhere, and leaves the listener soon yearning for something new. The rest of the album is thankfully a bit more varied, and moves around a bit more. I especially enjoyed the second track, "Canticle."
All in all, I very much enjoyed listening to this album. It is perfect for anyone out there looking for some nice atmospheric doom to listen to while reading a book, pondering life's mysteries, or just lamenting on the tragedy that is the human condition. - The Phroo
Antagony - Demo (self-released, '99)
Rating: 7.5/10
Tracks: Mindwar, Slob, Drugs, Requiem
We're off to a good start. Opening sample is the infamous Remy from the unintentionally-hilarious Higher Learning blowing his brains out. How I do love that Remy character... "You're nothin', Malik!!" The sample leads into a blast of raging death-ish metal with screechy vocals more akin to Sadistic Intent's Impending Doom release than anything black metal-ish. A deep, brutal growl is also employed on occasion.
The music is a cross between outright death metal and Cryptic Slaughter-ish hardcore. Very tight, very heavy. The production is fuzzy, but powerful. I think the material would benefit from a cleaner sound. Song two starts off with a sample from the film masterpiece Ghostbusters. Can't go wrong there. About 3:20 into the song is some really terrible editing where the breaks in the arrangement were either a late decision and someone stopped the tape or they simply weren't clean enough and they had to be tightened up by barbaric means. Regardless, chalk that one up to rookie status when it comes to recording. It sounds exactly like someone is hitting stop or pause on a tape recorder.
In all, a good debut effort that shows a lot of promise, but could use a bit more refinement. They have the makings of a strong band. I'm interested to see what the next release sounds like and would LOVE to hear a recording done in a proper studio. - Al Kikuras
Check out the Antagony Web Site for more info.
Soil - El Chupacabra! (MIA Records, '99)
Rating: 9.5/10
Tracks: F-Hole, Broken Wings, Crucified, She, Two Cent Friend
This is a good fucking release! It mixes old school elements with 90's rock, but comes out sounding good. Kinda like Strapping Young Lad used the industrial sound on City" to create a masterful album, Soil uses grunge and punk elements to create a great album here. Very catchy song writing and powerful musicianship are the two major elements on this album.
The singing is a screaming bluesy growling style. It's just a good sound to hear. Raw, uncomplicated, rocking sound. This isn't true metal. It's say it falls more into the realm of Hard Rock, but that's not a bad thing. These guys remind me of Corrosion Of Conformity, especially on their Wiseblood album. If you are a fan of that style of rock/metal check these guys out. - Piston Rod
Cathedral - Caravan Beyond Redemption (Earache, '99)
Rating: 8/10
Tracks: Voodoo Fire, The Unnatural World, Satanikus Robotikus, Freedom, Captain's Glegg, Earth Messiah, The Caravan, Revolution, Kalidescope of Desire, Heavy Load, The Omega Man, Dust of Paradise
Must admit. I am not much into this style of music, but I can see why this would appeal to fans of the whole doomrock genre. The balls and almost cabaret feeling of old KISS is combined with the sludge and heaviness of Black Sabbath. I hear some White Zombie in there as well, especially at times in the vocal performance.
I think if Cathedral took themselves seriously, this would be just plain bad, but it is obvious these guys are just out there to rock and crank and they do so extremely well. Perhaps this doesn't grab me by the balls because I was never a big Black Sabbath fan. - Al Kikuras
Mercyful Fate - 9 (Metal Blade, '99)
Rating: 8.5/10
Tracks: Epitomize, Clockwork Black, Gutterballs, Bleeding, Beyond The Bounds, Witches Burn, Over The Line, Heiligenschein, Sin City, Inside The Clockwork, Better Beware, Dreadful Sins, Black Trinity, Sick & Twisted, Follow The Hypocrite, Epitath
Great cover! Skull with horns in a pool of fire, love it. King is back! Dead Again gave me hope that the Mercyful Fate from the 80's (Melissa + Don't Break The Oath) still existed. 9 is darker and more evil than anything Mercyful Fate has put out in a while. I feel dirty listening to it, and that's the way I should feel.
The songs are well written and heavier than the last few Fate albums, but it still isn't at the level of the earlier stuff. It is however really good taken on it's own. The first song "Last Rites" is a heavy riff filled metal scorcher. Really good to hear. "House On The Hill" has a sound that harks more toward King Diamond than Mercyful Fate, but that's good because I've always liked King better than Fate (but really now King how many more fucking songs can you write about a house on a hill? Time for some more material.) "Burn In Hell" is filled with 80's style riffing and my personal favorite on the album.
Take this bad boy home with you, please. Support metal. Mercyful Fate is one of the only bands (along with Manowar) that have never changed (for better or worse). Fate has had some albums that plain sucked, but this is not one of them. King has done better stuff, but 9 does not disappoint. - Piston Rod
Gamma Ray - Power Plant (Noise Records, '99)
Rating: 7.5/10
Tracks: Anywhere In The Galaxy, Razorblade Sigh, Send Me A Sign, Strangers In The Night, Gardens Of The Sinner, Short As Hell, It's A Sin, Heavy Metal Universe, Wings Of Destiny, Hand OF Fate, Armageddon
The last two Gamma Ray albums have been masterpieces of power metal. The songwriting on Land Of The Free is some of the best I've heard in a while; catchy and inspired, while the drumming on Somewhere Out In Space added a level of power and heaviness to Gamma Ray that they didn't possess before. When I heard that Power Plant was coming out I flipped out. Finally a power metal album that I was confident wouldn't suck. Well, I was wrong.
Gamma Ray took a major step backwards on this album. The powerful drumming that amazed me and inspired me on Somewhere Out In Space, just isn't there. The catchy songwriting from Land Of The Free isn't there either. This is an uninspired slab of run-of-the-mill power metal. This angers me more than getting a bad album from a new band. A band that just jumps on the bandwagon I can understand. When a band that has been keeping power metal alive like Gamma Ray puts out a album like this it's a real shame.
Not a bad album taken on it's own, but a major step backwards for a band that kept getting better and heavier each album. Boring, uninspired, and a lot weaker than their earlier albums. Too bad guys, too bad for me. - Piston Rod
Six Feet Under - Maximum Violence(Metal Blade, '99)
Rating: 8.5/10
Tracks: Feasting On The Blood of the Insane, Bonesaw, Victim of the Paranoid, Short Cut To Hell, No Warning Sign, War Machine, Mass Murder Rampage, Brainwashed, Torture Killer, This Graveyard Earth, Hacked To Pieces
Now here we have a serious fucking return to form!! I know I am not alone in being very disappointed with Six Feet Under as a whole. The Bleeding is one of my all-time favorite death metal albums, largely due to Chris Barnes' vocal performance. Brutal, yet audible. Stuff you could actually sing along to. The music and vocals were completely memorable, yet as heavy as any of the stuff found on their previous releases.
When Barnes left Cannibal Corpse after what I still consider to be their finest release, I was disappointed, but had my hopes high for SFU. Although the first album wasn't terrible, it failed to excite. It sounded like Obituary's later (lamer) material with Barnes at the vocal helm. After the EP that followed the debut, I stopped following SFU altogether.
Well, don't I feel like the asshole? If Metal Blade hadn't been kind enough to send this gem to me, I would have missed out altogether. I saw the cover art, which is excessively raw and sick. The title itself points to a step (back) in the right direction. - Al Kikuras
Steel Prophet - Dark Hallucinations (Nuclear Blast, '99)
Rating: 9/10
Tracks: Montag, New Life, Strange Encounter, The Secret, We Are Not 
Alone, Betrayal, Look What You've Done, Scarred For Life, Spectres, The Apparition, Ride The Sky
I have been a very angry guy lately. Most of the stuff we've gotten here at Unchain calling itself "power metal" has been subpar at best. Boring, lame, and weak. You know one main element that most power metal bands leave out of their music? POWER! Most power metal nowadays should be called Pussy Metal. Steel Prophet, however, k now how to carry a song. The tunes are well written and memorable, the music is heavy and aggressive... this is what metal is all about!! Steel Prophet are quickly developing into leaders of the power metal race.
If you are excited by the New Wave Of Power Metal (NWOPM), but most bands leave you flat, check out Steel Prophet and prepare to be blown away. - Piston Rod
Eldritch - El Nino (LMB Music, '99)
Rating: 9/10
Tracks: Fall From Grace, No Direction Home, Heretic Beholder, Scar, Bleed Mask Bleed, The Last Days Of The Year, From Dusk Till Dawn, To Be Or Not To Be (God), El Nino
After hearing so may boring run of the mill, carbon copy power metal bands in the last few months I must say I was beginning to lose hope that anything good would cross my desk. Then Eldritch showed up. It looked like another band for me to get out my aggressions on, but instead I found a really exciting band. These guys are heavy and LOUD (a MUST in metal, if I want quiet I'll listen to Yanni). They kick some serious ass, and their song writing sounds fresh and different, not just a carbon copy of every other power metal band out today.
Wonderfully powerful power metal. A joy to listen to, and hope that their are bands out there that don't just want to jump on the bandwagon. A band carving their own niche and I applaud them. You go girl! - Piston Rod
New Eden - Obscure Master Plan (Nuclear Blast, '99)
Rating: 5/10
Tracks: The Promise, Evil Logic, I am, Dance Of The Dead, Demons Of Earth, Epitaph, Flicker Of Faith, Shades Of You, Sorrows, Land Of Filth And Money
On my first listening to this album I wanted to destroy it, and forget that it ever existed. I couldn't understand why Nuclear Blast would sign these guys...well, they signed that horrible band Narnia, so I guess anything is possible. I've tried listening to is a little more and my opinion has changed a little bit. I still consider it to be complete carbon copy power metal with nothing new to add to the genre, but I don't want to hunt down and kill this band one by one. I was just angry because there are so many power metal bands jumping on the band wagon. Most suck, as do New Eden.
They are boring, they are weak, and they don't inspire greatness. Perhaps they will get better with time as both Sacred Steel and Nocturnal Rites seem to be (both band's debut albums were disgraces to metal, but their second albums showed marked improvements).
Given time, New Eden might develop a sound that is their own and some talent, but for now I just wish they would go away. We have enough boring power metal right now, we don't need anymore. Where is my Maiden? - Piston Rod
Vader - Live In Japan (Pavement, '99)
Rating: 9.5/10
Tracks: Damien (intro.), Sothis, Distant Dream, Black To The Blind, Silent Empier, Blood Of Kingu, Carnal, Red Passage, Panzerstoss (intro.), Reborn In Flames, Fractal Light, From Beyond (intro.), Crucified Ones, Foetus God, Black Sabbath, Reign In Blood, Omen (intro.), Dark Age
I've seen Vader twice: once they were awesome, once fair. The second time was at the March Metal Meltdown festival in New Jersey, and to be honest most of the bands suffered due to poor sound.
On this album, however, Vader sound perfect...a little too perfect. This is where this album looses the .5 off the grade. This CD sound like it could have been a studio album, it's so clean. All the songs are played exactly as they are on the albums. I like to see a band take their studio effort and expand and change the ideas when they play live...at least have some fun with the material. Vader sound like 9-5 workers that come in, do their job and go home, which I know they are not.
I must say that Vader once again prove how super talented they are. This is a flawless effort. They sound awesome. Doc is without a doubt one of the best drummers in death metal. they songs sound sharp and clear, and there is a great mix of old and new material with a couple of covers thrown in. The "Reign In Blood" cover is awesome, and reason alone to get this CD.
Very strong effort, two clean for a live album, not enough crowd noise, but still one of the best albums to come out this year. A must get for Vader fans, and for anyone that wants to here why Mtv and Rolling Stone don't know shit about music. Fuck you and die! - Piston Rod
Sermon - From Death To Death (Wild Rags, '99)
Rating: 8/10
Tracks: I Want To Reach The Dawn, Another's Spring (Kills Me), Forever Lost, Eternal Progress, Sad Clown, Crying Skies, I'm Terrified, No Place, The Beginning Of The Day, 3ammehue
Finally something good from Moscow, Russia besides mail order brides! The last band I heard of was a hard rock band called Gorky Park. For some strange reason, I don't hear too much about Russia's metal scene.
Well, back to the band. They have an 80's thrash metal feel to them, sounding like a mix of MOONSPELL and IRON MAIDEN. The melodies of Maiden are meshed with the raw death metal ala Deteriorate's Rotting In Hell. Some of the songs are too slow for me, but besides that, the disc pretty good. The sound quality is really good. My favorite songs off the CD are "Another's Spring (Kills Me)," "No Place" and "3ammehue." If you do like old thrash you have to add this to your collection! It takes some of the best elements and brings it up to date with a tinge of black metal and that old school flavor that has been so prevalent lately. - Death Dealer
Hades (Almighty) - Millenium Nocturne(Hammerheart, '99)
Rating: 9/10
Tracks: Millenium Overture, Dream Traveller, Carnival Blaspheme, Nemesis, To Reach Devine Fullfillment [sic], Gardens of Chaos, A Ballad of Death and Obsession, Nighttime Endurance, Warerh
I loved their Alone Walkying demo and the debut CD, Again Shall Be.... Both are very grim, heavy, grandiose releases that sport some of the finest mid-paced black metal ever laid to tape. Hades' second release, Dawn of the Dying Sun, disappointed me terribly. There was no growth... the songs offered nothing new, the production was flat and lame and the whole release just came off as sounding completely uninspired.
With Millenium Nocturne, however, Hades (now "Hades Almighty," although the logo doesn't reflect the name change) have completely redeemed themselves. The change was no in name only. Not only has the production improved tenfold, steps forward have been taken in the songwriting department as well. The new songs aren't quite as "epic" sounding as tunes like "Pagan Triumph" and "Glorious Again The Northland Shall Become" off the debut, but what they do have that previous material did not is a much more varied feel throughout. Whereas Again Shall Be got to be a bit tedious, Millenium Nocturne easily holds my interest throughout, despite being over 5 minutes longer than the debut. A very strong release that I recommend to fans of the earlier material as well as anyone looking for an example of mid-paced black metal done right. - Al Kikuras
Desekrator - Metal For Demons (Pavement, '99)
Rating: 4/10
Tracks: Metal For Demons, Aphice, Overdose, Texas Joe, Revenge Of The Hellhammer, Trommenakinhelvete, Take Us To The Pub, Hot In The City, Execution, Bergen-Belzen Svinepelsen, Tormentor
Joke metal, bad on purpose. Usually me and my partner Al really enjoy this type of stuff. At least it's good for a laugh, but this album doesn't even have much humor quality. These guys are just bad. Kinda like punk, that's the feel I got from it. Punk bands usually have no talent, so they play punk instead of a better style of music. They are proud that they suck. That's the feel I got from these guys.
Desekrator try to make a fun album, but wind up with a big wet smelly terd. Poor song writing mixed with poor musicianship and bad humor equals $15.99 down the drain, where this album deserves to be. - Piston Rod
Nocturnal Rites - The Sacred Talisman (Century Media, '99)
Rating: 7.5/10
Tracks: Destiny Calls, The Iron Force, Ride On, Free At Last, Hold On To The Flame, Eternity Holds, Fire Comes To Ice, The Legend Lives On, The King's Command, Unholy Powers (Night Of The Witch), Glorious
Nocturnal Rites have improved a lot since their first album, Tales Of Mystery And Imagination. That is to say that Tales was extremely weak and lacked any power or inspiration whatsoever. The Sacred Talisman improves in two areas. First it has more energy than Tales, and second the song writing has improved. Where it lacks is in the drumming (lame, lame, lame) and singing (Anders Zackrisson remind me of someone that has been told to be quiet too often. SCREAM!!)
Nocturnal Rites are improving, but I may be a very old man, but the time they are any good. Too bad too, their heart seems to be in the right place and they have a great presentation. They cover art is great and so are the concepts behind the songs. Too bad there can only be one Manowar. - Piston Rod
Amorphis - Tuonela (Relapse, '99)
Rating: 6/10
Tracks: The Way, Morning Star, Nightfall, Tuonela, Greed, Divinity, Shining, Withered, Rusty Moon, Summer's End
Considering its multi-faceted nature, Amorphis' third-full length effort Elegy (released in '96) was certainly a work of art to behold. Combining the psychedelic atmosphere of 70's Rock n' Roll, the technical edge of Progressive Hard Rock, and the soulful side of folk music, Amorphis redefined the term "Atmospheric Metal." Furthermore, considering its humble beginnings as a simple hybrid of Doom and Death Metal (think back to Disembowelment), it's amazing how such
a dramatic evolution has allowed this Finnish quintet to branch out without compromising any of it's integrity and/or success they have gained thus far.
Sadly, however, Tuonela, Amorphis' 4th full length effort, is somewhat of a letdown and surprisingly enough, it appears that they have even inhibited themselves quite a bit rather than expanding on some of the progressive elements they hinted at last time around. Although, I can't put my finger on it exactly, it almost seems that these gentleman have opted to take the easy way out by playing it safe this time around. For instance, upon first listen to the opening track, entitled "The Way," you can immediately sense from the subtle ambience of keyboards and effects that you can expect the usual Pink Floyd-inspired songwriting that has already been perfected by the likes of Tiamat, Moonspell, The Gathering, etc. Furthermore when it finally begins to pick up, all you're left with is a typical upbeat rocker highly reminiscent of Sin era Moonspell. Gripes aside, however, kudos must be given to the vocals which are remarkably harmonious and soulful as opposed to the more gruff Death Metal-ish growls they were more prone to using on the last three releases before this. The second song, "Morning Star," begins with more of a bouncy riff, complete with distorted wah wah pedal which adds more of a 70's funk vibe. Again, the keyboards tend to be overwhelming and almost drown out everything around it. Then there's the middle eastern vibe of "Nightfall" that provides a haunting backdrop with its howling clarinet and frenetic riffs.
Perhaps one of the more memorable moments has to be the 9th track, "Rusty Moon" which is the most catchiest with its medieval folk-like arrangements (just check out the flute on this one) otherwise, the rest is pretty much redundant filler material. In fact, when listening to the other 7 songs or so, I have often questioned whether or not these were just left over studio tracks carried over from the band's last session together. Thus a totally uninspiring listening experience indeed. - Envenomed
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