This is the first full-length album in fifteen years from this French terrorsquad. The production is loud, flat, and distorted, lending the music a hellish aspect. There is nothing clean here at all. The vocals especially are distorted, nearing white noise territory. This does not mean the production is bad - no, these were deliberate choices during recording. The noisy production is actually a virtue, as it gives the album a personality all its own, like the bands of old. All the instruments are audible, they're just very loud. The drumming really stands out as super tight and talented, with lightning fast fills and rolls and he makes the most of the way some of their songs alternate tempo between slow and fast. His drumming actually reminds me of the mighty Nemesis Divina by Satyricon. The riffs are quite varied, even when they're speeding along, and they make for quite enjoyable songs. Haemoth aren't afraid to be quite heavy at times, like in the song "When the Dust Finally Settles," with its thrash-inspired riffing. Haemoth, after all these years, still feels dangerous and dark, like all good black metal should, and this album is a welcome addition to their discography.
