Until I got this release, I have not heard anything by NEBIRAS before. So I did my homework, listened to their demo material chronologically and realized why this band was considered one of Malasya’s premier Black Metal outfits (the band’s status is unknown at the time of writing, by the way). "The Great Rites", their 1998 EP, has been issued on a deluxe, gate fold 180g vinyl version by the German label Dunkelheit Productions. Limited to 350 black and 150 red copies, it also includes an A2 size heavy poster. NEBIRAS plays a mid to fast pace Black Metal. The production, features pounding (and somewhat sloppy) drums by Feanor, deep bass guitar lines by Thylord Faridz and that trebly guitar tone courtesy of Agathos Daemon. I associated this sound immediately with the early 90s Norwegian Black Metal style. The music itself has a very simplistic approach, which I found influenced heavily by South American legends such as SARCOFAGO, MYSTIFIER or MORTEM. Agathos Daemon’s vocals sound similar to Nuclear Holocausto Vengeance (BEHERIT) from time to time. And that adds a lot of atmosphere to the overall sound. The highlight here is their attitude. The band goes through their songs with a lot of conviction and it makes this EP a great listening experience for old and new Black Metal fans alike. It is no surprise that NEBIRA’s Agathos Daemon was greeted / hailed in DARKTHRONE’s "Ablaze In The Northern Sky" thank list. If you are looking for polished, overproduced or perfect sounding Black Metal, look the other way. NEBIRAS’ music is ugly, heavy and haunting. A perfect combination for those who dig Black Metal done the ancient way. Contact the band (the ancient way) here: www.myspace.com/nebiras. And get this great vinly release at the label’s site here: www.dunkelheit-produktionen.de