The Elder Scape

This demo has a somewhat different sound from the first one as it is bolstered by the lead guitar work of Nephilim who joins Vortigern for this second release.

The introduction before 'Whillom' to perpetual ruin' evokes a wonderfully bleak atmosphere that is just one of the many different moods found on this album. One of the main things I noticed is how the riffs and structures are not overly complicated or excessivly musically technical yet the moods change seemingly every minute. The riffs range from old-school black metal attacks to clean haunting acoustic sections reminiscent of renaissance lute music. The opener 'Whillom...' is an excellent example of their ability to be versatile while retaining focus.

The marvellously titled 'Battaile upon Limbus Patrium' starts with a dirge-like chord progression and then metamorphosises into sounding somewhat like early EMPEROR but without the swirling background keyboards. This recording benefits from a raw, yet defined production which creates a crushing wall of sound to lose yourself in. There are also guitar harmonies that form surprisingly melodic and atmospheric interludes between the heavier parts.

'Unto Longing Wanhope' puts me in mind of 'Blood. Fire. Death.' era BATHORY but with more of ARCHAICUS's signature harmonies and renaissance riffing with cleverly applied keyboards. it also features a lengthy doomy passage with guttural chanting. Is amazes me how the band continue to come up with new touches for each song.

'Rites of Passage: Blood Empowered' is one of the slower songs, not in tempo but more in terms of dynamics. More BATHORY and EMPEROR influences are evident here. This is a track more for traditionalists who enjoy all-out riffing and headbangable black-metal assaults with heavy blastbeats.

'In this sign you will conquer' starts off immediately with a rousing riff that sounds almost like a guitar-based warcry. The song continues with guttural vocals shrouded in thick layers of reverb which serve to enhance the sound. About four minutes in we are treated to possibly my favourite part of the demo; a wonderfully medieval sounding riff followed by monkish chanting vocals. If this doesn't inspire you to don a suit of armour and start a war then nothing will! The track draws to a thunderous close which leaves you wanting more!

All in all, this is an excellent demo and will show all those 'no keyboards' traditionalists that you can create a melodic and dynamic piece of music without sacrificing even an ounce of cast-iron heaviness that has been the trademark of black metal since the beginning. Altogether amazing stuff.

Noteworthy tracks - All of them.