In my opinion, the best Black Metal is a balance of ideology, atmosphere and catchy songwriting (a beefy, organic production doesn’t hurt either). The problem that I usually face with German Black Metal is that it is so focused on being esoteric / deep / inscrutable that riffs and hooks are forsaken – or ‘too much brain and not enough balls’ (see INFESTUS or even THE RUINS OF BEVERAST). IRRLYCHT, on the other hand, are at the other end of the spectrum, being a riff-based machine.  Instantly catchy and straightforward, IRRLYCHT strikes with a prominent bottom end and impressive snarling vox.  However, while their debut album bulldozes you with to-the-point riffing and a surprisingly heavy production, “Schatten Des Gewitters” gives the impression of being heard many times before by other bands.  Ultimately, a satisfactory listen if one is in a tolerant mood for meat-and-potatoes DARKTHRONE / MAYHEM-school Black Metal. www.irrlycht.de, www.myspace.com/irrlycht, www.undercover-records.de