Since I am not a Black Metal expert I was not aware of this Swedish band that has been around since 1993. And that actually means that SETHERIAL have forged their musical ID during the raise and the fall on the great 90s Black Metal wave led mainly by Norse bands. "Ekpyrosis" is SETHERIAL's sixth discographic step and this equals to an experienced band despite the fact that Mysteriis is the only original member.

In the case of "Ekpyrosis" I was already aware of the SETHERIAL's sound after having a look at the cover artwork and the band photo. You cannot miss their music genre when you have corpse paint, all the classic Black Metal gadgets (inverted crosses, chains and leather etc) and the old-time classic blasphemous cover. Some years ago these might have something to say but to be honest I feel that they have been over-used. On the other hand they characterize this Metal branch and in the end I am OK with this. And the really fast "A World In Hell" that opens the album gives all the details one needs to know about this release. Insane drum work, very good guitar leads and fills, growling/screaming vocals and minor keyboards arrangements are the main elements here. Of course, DIMMU BORGIR and the early CRADLE OF FILTH are the first names that will come to mind to every listener who is more into the mainstream Black Metal band like myself. Just like the self-titled track does with a slower tempo that to my delight added a MORBID ANGEL touch in the bass and drum work. I was relieved to realize that the keyboard work remains minimal and sound low to the mix since in a different case the result would be something more than predictable. The strongest element in this album is the guitars; the fast riffs and the killer breaks really shine during "The Mournful Sunset Of The Forsaken". This one highlights all the early values of the Black Metal scene under the pompous looking glass that DIMMU BORGIR used in "Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia". What I really missed during the listening sessions was the trademark sound of the vocals that in general lack volume in the final mix of the music. This kind of spoils the overall solid profile one gets while listening to the album from start to finish. But the album possesses a hearty misanthropic atmosphere and welcomes a solid blackness that will seek its teeth to your brain if you give additionally CD spins for the music to grow.

Sadly and as it usually happens the album hides no surprises and checks the Black Metal 'to-do-list' without missing a single bullet. Consequently this makes "Ekpyrosis" a pretty good album for the core fans who know what they need from a similar album but at the same time it cannot be a recommendation for the untrained listener who is still in search of a Metal identity.

P.S.: "Enemy Of Creation" is by far the best track of the album featuring an almost epic atmosphere that will send shivers down to your spine.