I have been a fan of HORNED ALMIGHTY since 2004’s “Black Metal Jesus”. I’ve always appreciated their Black’n’Roll Punk approach while still having that dark and evil satanic vibe and imagery. It was something different than your EMPERORs, DARK THRONEs, IMMORTALs and such. They took more from VENOM, BATHORY and your Punk bands of that era and made it their own. Also, I dig how the bass playing / sound was more prominent and added to their overall groove (if you wanna call it that). So with every band things can get a bit samey if you don’t evolve or add some variation to the mix. I will admit I was a tad bored with some of their mid-era releases and when they did slow it down and add more variation to their musical soundscape “World Of Tombs” being a culprit I was again a tad let down. To me, it just didn’t seem like HORNED ALMIGHTY. So, I’m sorry to say (and call me fickle) that they faded from my view for a bit after that. When the opportunity came to me for the latest from them via Soulseller Records it piqued my interest. First off, that cover! The colors, the lighting and the mood it generates. As for the music suffice to say I’m happy! Now it is not quite those speed-ridden Punk melodies of yore, but I can almost say the band has grown up and matured. You may laugh at this, but I’m sure time and mindset change over 20 years. Also with the band at its core still the same from its inception in 2002 and new kid “Haxen” joining the band in 2013, there is still plenty of vitriol and darkness. And the band still looks the part, but now there is a controlled chaos. All the songs are mid-tempo with plenty of angry riffing, the songwriting shows more restraint, but also evokes a much more dark vibe. The bass is still there just not over the top. If you have heard some of MARDUK’s more dirgy slower thumpers, you can get much of the same approach to how the band now approaches things. Suffice it to say I’m happy to be back on board and sorry for the lapse guys! www.facebook.com/hornedalmighty, www.facebook.com/soulsellerrecords