Ancient Will

After spending a considerable time with this album, over many nights, I finally settled down to write my review of this unique album.

The intro to the album lasts close to two minutes, and it's quite beautiful. Not the way I expected the album to start, so that's a bonus point from the get go. Nice, melancholy ridden keyboards set the tone for an easy listening folk tune. Easy listening, yet quite hard at the same time. While it sets the mood for the rest of the tracks to follow, it is also quite predictable exactly what you'll be hearing next.

"Forward to the Immortality" barges out of your speakers next, with nice, melodic riffing. The highlight are the vocals though I must say, Jörg has done a great job, and as already noted in previous reviews, very close to Abigor. The guitar riffs are simple and stick to a pretty set formula, so don't expect any extravagant guitar work. Track number two starts off much better, with another nice intro, before setting into what can only be described as a mediocre riff at best. It is greatly heightened by the synths below it, but on it's own it just does not seem to have any power behind it. Most of the song is in the same key and never seems to change, though this I assume was done on purpose, as to not distract from the overall atmosphere of the track. It features a nice bass interlude, then launches back into the same riff we heard previously.

From this point on, the tone of the rest of the album is pretty much set in stone, and it doesn't really deviate from what you've heard so far. Some parts sound great and purposeful, while others are pretty lacking. The band in my opinion isn't very comfortable at blistering high speeds - the comfort zones here at the more mid paced tracks, where the instruments can breathe and have more focus and power. The overall vocals are pretty damn awesome - low and demonic, they set a really nice, cold atmosphere which really works. However, as previously stated, the majority of the riffs to be found here seem heavily recycled. Hell, some even remind me of early Cradle of Filth.

The whole package could have benefited greatly by some good production. While the mix is alright, it's the guitar tone and drum machine which really kills any of the atmosphere which was achieved in the first place.

While the album features some good ideas (and some downright bad ones) its still a strong effort. It could benefit greatly by some better sounding guitars and drums and over time, it could develop into something great, provided that the engine for the band (the riffs) are more solid. Some of the riffs on this album I could have sworn to have heard before.