Alberta, Canada brings us this gem of a black metal record, the band's first full length. It's vicious, fast, melodic-when-it-wants-to-be black metal in the Nordic style. It's highly technically proficient, all instruments being played at peak ability. Some of the riffs and drum patterns boggle the mind. While the musicianship is stellar, the songs are never sacrificed because of it. It's simply added value. The vocals remind me of Satyricon, growled through clenched teeth. The guitars are like a winter blizzard with swirling winds and drifting snow. We're given bits of melodic atmosphere every so often to give our brains a break and it's a welcome respite - this is challenging music. This is a masterful performance by a musician that has found his voice and is creating wickedly sharp songs from wonderfully jagged riffs.
