Behind this project hides Ildjarn, the man who was in THOU SHALT SUFFER and EMPEROR between 1990 & 1992 -and recorded some fucking CULT stuff with them- and who released the infamous ILDJARN albums. I always considered this man as insane, if you already know ILDJARN (the band) you know what I mean. But this time it seems he has calmed down a bit. Of course, the music is uncommon but the "warning" on the back of the booklet tells us this album was recorded under the influence of THC, so... The bass has the main role on most of the tracks, an ugly-sounding bass as only Ildjarn can do, and the production varies on each song ! Of course, on ILDJARN CDs, generally the first tracks are better produced than the last ones (I know, the first time, you're surprised...) but here it's different. All tracks have a different sound, this is something I never heard before. The first three tracks are quite boring, a kind of black metal with some keyboardparts that have nothing to do here but at least you immediately know it's Ildjarn playing. Then comes the fourth track, strongly inspired by LEGION OF DOOM & OSCULUM INFAME (exactly the same riff as on "Kein entkommen" !), with that excellent drum pace used generally by punk / RAC bands and of course frequently appearing on ILDJARN CDs. This is an EXCELLENT black metal song, a bit ala ABSURD, even if the drum machine sound is sometimes hard to bear. The 8th track has the same rhythmic basis and is very similar to this one. The 5th and 7th songs are "atmospheric interludes" (the outro is also in the same "state of mind"), but in the 6th and 9th tracks Ildjarn reveals his real black metal : ugly-sounding (shitty production, even worse than ABYSSIC HATE !), very hard to understand except for those who like ILDJARN albums and with intense fury (they were certainly recorded when THC didn't have any influence left...)

So,to those who don't know ILDJARN albums, I recommend you to be careful before you buy this album, which is VERY special... Maybe you should get stone then listen to the entire CD, who knows...

6.5 / 10

© 2003 lord pesten