davkov85, August 25th, 2007 Fast, decent norsecore – I know that it’s used as a pejorative term, but I like norsecore. Asmodeus is one of the few copy bands that reach, and sometimes even exceed, the level of the band they follow. Apparently they are big fans of Dark Funeral; no other band is needed to be mentioned to get an idea about the music. In fact, DF is the band that should learn some things from Asmodeus! Very fast and harmonic guitars dominate the album. They are quite melodic and very intense. When it comes to the atmosphere, it is darker than the aforementioned band. It’s not only aggressive but really has a black touch. One reason can be the vocals (see below.) And the last track, not counting the outro, is even a bit melancholic – a perfect way of ending this release. Drums deserve a special mentioning, because in this regard Asmodeus fares better than DF. Technically Malthus is better than the old DF drummer Matte Modin, and his percussion is more interesting than Dominator’s. He is not only fast but varies with the themes, playing with fantasy – something you would not expect from a black metal band. While listening to this album it’s worth paying special attention to the drums. See especially Decretum Executionis, it’s highly innovative what is happening there. The vocals are just okay, nothing special, though. Not that high-pitched as Caligula’s, nor is it ‘robotic’ as today’s is. It’s just ‘grim’ and fits the music well, quite typical black metal. Though the music is generally fast, there are some slow parts including Servitus in Aeternitatem, which is good because it lets you have some rest. Thorns is the only track which is slow throughout, but it’s also a decent song. Even there are some acoustic guitars in Inciting the Rebellion and Withering Vengeance to prevent the release of becoming too monotonous. The outro is also an acoustic, a pleasure to hear. The production is very clear and polished, the perfect sound for THIS (!) kind of black metal. Sometimes the cymbals get a bit fuzzy, but this is a really insignificant shortcoming and I only mention it because I’m trying hard to be critical and to find some mistake :-) Maybe a bit I’m overrating this, since there is really nothing special or never-heard-before here. Yet I cannot help loving it: it’s the second best norsecore release I’ve ever heard in my life, after Marduk’s Panzer album. I like it better and better every time listening to it. Not only for norsecore-fans, but for everyone who likes brutal and melodic, yet not overly simple music. Especially a must-have if you are dissatisfied with the new Dark Funeral album. By the way if you are interested in the lyrics, they are not THAT silly. Which doesn’t mean they are not thoughtless and stereotypical, but who cares about lyrics. Oh sorry, I almost have forgotten that black metal is about lyrics… -_- Standout tracks: Decretum Executionis, On the Inflammatory March – but really, there are no fillers.