"Anno Domini" is a cult piece of Hungarian black/thrash metal, featuring Attila Csihar of Mayhem's "De Mysteriis..." fame and another Attila, probably his brother. Most who stumble across Tormentor are probably interested because of these credentials but this is more than some shit like Perdition Hearse, which is just curiosity because the vocalist was in this and that more 'important' album, this is an authentic piece of metal from the turn of the decade when demos & albums used to be brimming with a black metal feeling; spikes, leather and inverted crosses.

This isn't outright satanic stuff like VON or Mayhem, but the titles go towards imperial darkness - gates of Hell, Elizabeth Bathori (those who heard the bland Dissection cover will be pleasantly surprised, especially by the sound of the voice of the Countess herself!), Transilvania; and hell, these guys have a right to these topics since they must know the Carpates like the backs of their asses!

So, how do they play here? The riffs are fast thrash, sometimes melodic, and the drummer has difficulty keeping up here and there. The vocals are much simpler and straightforward than the contorted squeaking and gargling of "De Mysteriis...", yet you can hear it's Attila's unique and sick voice. The sounds are the familiar warm garage of a demo recording. But it's not the shit quality you are used to in the age of 15-year-old kids' poser NS-black metal bands. It's like the quality you want, when you record a demo and don't have a lot of cash to spend on studio.

© 2002 black hate