My first encounter with CARPATHIAN FOREST leaves me quite impressed: after a short intro as part of the first song I can hear a Hammond organ in the background – by far not as dominant as in AKHENATON, but it’s there and I like it, damn heavy! CARPATHIAN FOREST play melodic Black Metal with massive keyboards (??? – Frank) – yet definitely more sinister and creative than CRADLE OF BORGIR. On the other hand, some parts of the arrangements remind me a bit of CRADLE (????? – Frank), whereas the guitars at times sound a lot like BURZUM. Apart from that, CARPATHIAN FOREST do have an identity of their own indeed. The band has been around long enough for that anyway. They vary their speed and sound cleverly and there are parts that will force you to bang your head for sure. Great production, thrilling song structures and a kick ass attitude is what this record is all about. Grab a good Gothic novel and put on CARPATHIAN FOREST – they have more to offer than today’s fashionable Bubble Gum Black Metal bands. Here is the missing link between the latter and the raw, primitive style! I just don’t understand the last track ‘Gold Murderous Music’: a moody sort of hip hop beat and beautiful sax lines. But what does this have to do with Black Metal – except for maybe the lyrics? In my point of view, track No. 10, ‘The Old House On The Hill’, is “more Black Metal” despite only adding (synthy-) violins, -flutes and piano to the vocals. Anyway, I can live with it, so get your hands on this one!