In times like these when every band with (bad) shrieky vocals is sold as Black Metal, but actually just play some weak kindergarden keyboard kitsch, it is far more than a pleasure to discover a band like LUNGORTHIN. LUNGORTHIN hail from Hamburg / Germany and this is already their second album. They definitely know how to compose great uncommercial Black Metal tunes in the old’n’original Norwegian vein. If at all I would place their compositions around the first and the third album of SATYRICON. The songs come across very powerful, harsh and mostly fast. Nevertheless LUNGORTHIN vary the tempo quite often and slow down to create more atmosphere, which is overall dark and moody. The atmosphere is supported by memorable and epic guitars melodies and some accoustic parts. Although keyboards are used here and there, they are left in the background and do not water everything else down. The vocal performance is of that kind that is required for a real Black Metal release, cold and grim. The sound quality of this album is absolutely fitting, that means it is brutal and rough, but clear enough to present every instrumental facet of the music. LUNGORTHIN are in my modest opinion one of the best German bands around and the quality of their songs is miles ahead of most of nowadays crap or even the old Norwegian heroes (like e.g. DIMMU BORGIR or IMMORTAL). So if you adore quality albums like the ones of TAAKE or MANES check this one out, you will be pleased!