The first LP of the Germania's answer to DARKTHRONE, "666" contains fine, if somewhat generic and predictable, black metal the older way. Six tracks lasting a little over half of an hour present very little variety, primary in the "Under a Funeral Moon" way but with a tendency to go 200 mph once in a while. There is a lot of tempo variations, but they often fail to deliver the black atmosphere, slipping into pointless black metal-like aerial disturbances. Still, half of the tracks, namely "Thy Horror", "Nazarene - Into the Flame" and especially the brilliant "Lunar Castles (Harvest)" elevate this release above the masses. So do the excellent, strong wailing vocals, which save even the less inspired tracks from becoming totally boring.

© 2002 ghaaroth