This album marks the return of Mayhemic Truth, now renamed Morrigan. Anyone who heard their demos (or their demo collection CD, "In Memoriam") should know what to expect from this horde - ripping, Bathory-influenced METAL.

Still, I have to say that this album far exceeded all my expectations. The music moves as one, in all-out attack, and the vocals are beyond amazing. They're hateful, completely incomprehensible snarling, yet they still possess quite a bit of range. They're practically flawless, one of the most interesting Black Metal vocal performances since Burzum. The songs range from fast (the title track) to slower, sludgier tracks ("This Bitch Will Burn Tonight"), with more than a few epic moments ("Requiem"). While the Bathory influence is loud and clear, Morrigan definitely have a distinctive sound, and they've created something fiercely original here. There's something in "Plague, Waste and Death" for almost every Black Metal fan.

Any fan of old-school Black Metal in general (and certainly worshippers of Bathory's early days) should get this immediately. Pick up Mayhemic Truth's demo CD, "In Memoriam", while you're at it...

Standout tracks: "Plague, Waste and Death", "In Memoriam", "The Arrival of Dana".

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