ASTEL OSCORA from Moscow, Russia, have already split up (the band called it quits in 2011), but they left 2 full-length albums behind them anyway. ASTEL OSCORA played Black / Gothic Metal that had lots of keyboard-driven atmosphere wrapped around it – that’s how I at least see it how the band’s 2009 debut album stepped forth with all those ingredients in it. The musicianship inside ASTEL OSCORA was definitely strong; the interaction between each band member seemed to be somewhat seamless, basing my opinion on the well thought-out song compositions that "Wormshire" is pretty much loaded with. Keyboards are also used steadily within this recording, and a great thing is that they are not overpowering other instruments by their existence but just providing some good melodies and atmospheres for this well-done and rather enjoyable wholeness. Anubis’ vocals represent your typical Black Metal type of rasps and croaks, not really adding anything extraordinary unusual into the band’s sound but still fitting in there like a blood-soaked eyeball into your skull. ASTEL OSCORA’s atmospheric Black Metal was in a good form on "Wormshire" – and whether they followed the same recipe even on their follow-up release "Эридан" before splitting up for good, I have just no idea at all. But since "Worshire" did leave a positive impression on me, I am willing to find that out. For further info about ASTEL OSCORA, go to: www.myspace.com/asteloscora, label: www.msrprod.ru or www.myspace.com/msrprod