Mayhem go technical on your ass with this release. Has a Voivod-esque feel because the riffs aren't the "A-typical metal riff". Blasphemer gets credit there. More strange than their previous disc as there seems to be a determined effort to unite music with Maniac's vision. Music sort of follows the path of his vocals. At times there's brutality, at other times there's showmanship. Maniac's vocals alternate between theatrical and godawful screech (I like his possessed vocal style very much). Lyrics are good as well. At times it's hyperspeed death, others it creeps along. A cool militaristic vibe is also present, there's even a bit of electronica but who cares for that, certainly not I. A decent release but not one where you can slap on and immediately get into, I believe it would be a CD where'd you would have to be in the mood for. I kind of like it though, it's vileness has an endearing quality.

© 2000 malphas