Symphony of Darkness

I think this is the only album of this Ukrainian black metal act, released in 2001. Malice plays a very good Symphonic Black Metal, not very innovative, but surely interesting and well played. The lyrics, written by Father (that is not a member of the band), are about satanic themes, and the music, composed by the vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Blacksoul, has great guitar riffs, supported by atmospheric string or piano passages. This album is great also on the vocal side: Blacksoul is both a good screamer and a good growler. There’s also a great drumming, performed by Raven. There is not a song that prevails on others, but I think that the highlights are “Mysterious Portrait” and “Cathedral Of Satan”, that, sometimes, reminds not the riffs but the atmospheres of the third Dimmu Borgir album. Unfortunately Blacksoul has a really horrible English pronunciation, and some words are read in an absurd way, however it doesn’t affect seriously the beauty of the songs. I advice this album to all the lovers of Symphonic Black Metal, because it’s not very common to find a such well done album, but it’s not good for raw/fast/old school black metal listeners.