This thing impressed the hell out of me! Its been a while since something has given me that same feeling as Transylvanian Hunger (Darkthrone) or Nattens Madrigal (Ulver). Well actually this CD is even more grim than that! The production is as raw as it gets and it works perfectly for the music. Darkthrone is the main influence in this disc, but you also find hints of Burzum here and there. Don't write off Clandestine Blaze as another Darkthrone clone. Clandestine Blaze are able to distinguish themselves from the rest. Every song has its own personality, and just when you think they’ll finish the rest of the song using 2 guitar riffs over and over, they add something else in to grab your attention. The vocals are some of the best I've ever heard. Very rasped and very powerful. Instead of picturing some little demon screeching the vocals I see this big barbarian from hell yelling with anger. My favorite track on here is “Anti-Christian Warfare.” Halfway through the vocalist stops and the music takes you on this weird hypnotic trip. I picture being in a forest filled with the voices of evil spirits coming from all directions driving me insane! This band is very obscure. From what I hear the band will not do interviews, they wont include pictures inside the CD or their names, and if you want the lyrics you have to write to them. The CD is limited to 1000 copies and the LP version is limited to 200 (LP version includes bomb making instructions). All I can say is that this is one of the best CDs I've ever heard and anyone into raw black metal HAS to own this!! Hail Clandestine Blaze!!!

© 2000 the ancient one