It seems that the "boredom" pox that infects various "post improvement" albums has diseased the band known as Judas Iscariot. Before purchasing this album, I was told how fantastic it was, and without a doubt, the best JI album to date. I can't personally agree with that, simply because, besides the first track, there is nothing that really catches my attention. If you were to ask for my opinion, I would have to say that "Of Great Eternity" is at the bottom of the so far three Judas Iscariot releases. What's funny though, is that it's still an excellent album. Just not as good as it could have been.

The first track "…The Heavens Drop with Human Gore…" is quite punishing and morbid sounding. I was quite pleased to say the very least. But it seems to go downhill from there. The hate is still there, the raw production is still there (although much cleaner sounding), and the atmosphere is still there….so what's wrong?

I really can't pinpoint it. "Of Great Eternity" is just boring. Listen to tracks 3, 4, and 5. They start out with near identical chords. Listen to the final track: it's just re-hashed and mind numbing; a generic Darkthrone clone. Although some heavy influence could be accredited to Judas Iscariot's past releases, this isn't anywhere as interesting and heart stopping as before. A negative release in terms of what I had expected, from a person who has learned to truly enjoy this band since hearing them. But in terms of quality and harsh black metal, this is still good. I just hope the next album sets aside any worries I have, in relation to losing a band that I thought would release many quality future release. Cheers to Elegy though, a quality and hard working underground label by all possible standards.

© 1997 brand