There is a Mysticum shirt which is adorned a large radiation symbol which paints a black backround. Inside this symbol lies three symmetrically placed syringes, which all point at a rotating triad of sixes.

I believe that this just about sums about the ideaology in which these guys stand. No aryan race, no elite class, no viking warriors, no pagan pride, no eternal bliss, no "fun on the side." All that Mysticum stands for is the rites of destruction, and the downfall to the last, of the human race. Perhaps this extends beyond mere earthly context into the realm of cosmic/ universal annihilation. Or perhaps we may simply generalize the concept as the eradication of living itself. In a time where black metal seems to be directly contradicting these once held beliefs, it is a breath of fresh air to hear this material again, and be brought back into darkness.

This was the demo produced shortly after their changing from Sabazios to the band we all know as Mysticum. They have always been somewhat elite to the extent that very few have come close to their utter, utter black atmosphere, produced mischeviously with the incorporation of a drum machine and some high pitched inhuman vocals. In this particular case, they had the drums programmed much lower in the mix, almost like an explosion was going off everytime the snare was played. Furthermore, the bass was placed very prominantly in the foreground, adding to the overall effect of "deepness," as if we were witnessing this music from the fettid bowels of hell itself.

As par norm, the vocals are ruling, and combine a myriad of different styles, in the range from sonic growls, to the more familiar screams which have been so oftenly compared to Ishan/ Wraath, et all. Although comparisons will always be drawn, these vocals have content and structure, wereas many simply find content in yelling.

Some of the songs were later redone on "In the streams of Inferno," yet to hear them here is really quite a surprise for a variety of reasons. For one, the atmopshere is tenfold better than it was on the debut cd, and obviously one of the main dicatating factors for which a band like Mysticum will be appreciated is in it's ability to create a certain charecteristic atmosphere, or feeling, or conception. The sound is awful and underdone, which may or may not be a plus to some. I feel that it makes the music all the better, and I think most real fans would have to agree.

Songs are as follows;
Demon's never sleep
Into My Crypt Of Fear,
The Shattered Soul,
The proof Of Petrified Souls

Once again, a monumental peice of work from the one and only Mysticum.

© 2002 orodruin