Our story begins in 2004 when the Norwegian Black Metal band WINDIR dissolved after the tragic death of their lead singer and founder Terje "Valfar" Bakken. At the end of that year Gaute Refsnes, their former keyboardist, founded COR SCORPII (which is an alternative name of Antares, the 15th brightest star in the sky, and in Latin means "Scorpion's Heart") and soon after he was joinedby two other former WINDIRmembers, Stian Bakketeig and Jørn Holen, with Holen leaving the bandone year later. The band's first demo, "Attergangar", was released in 2005, receiving much praise from the musical critics and fans and so did their impressive debut full-length album "Monument", released in 2008.Now let's talk about the present of the band. In 2009 COR SCORPII was signed by the Norwegian label Dark Essence Records, which decided to re-release the band's debut album together with their earlier demo and that's what came into my hands.

Even though no one of the ex-WINDIR members that formed COR SCORPII was involved in the songwriting of their previous band, the band is continuing in a big percentage the legacy of WINDIR having in their music the same basis and melodic elements. However there are some notable differences as well. The folk influences, which were an important characteristic of WINDIR's music, were replaced by many classical influences and that's what makes their music unique and very interesting. These classical music influences can be mostly found in the intros and the outros of the songs and also in the majority of the solos, with these influences becoming even more strong and obvious by the controlled use of the violin.

The whole album is full of songs with pure power and aggression blended magnificently with classically inspired pinches. There are some really great moments in this album: the opener "Ei Fane Svart", "Edensong", the-10 minute giant "Oske Og Innsikt", the gorgeous "Helvetesfossen" - one of the best instrumental Black Metal tracks I've heard the last few years - and last but not least the furious "Kjettar" with two killer classical inspired solos.

The album is really good with many songs that become my favorites. This re-release is a must for the fans of WINDIR and for fans that would be interested to hear a very good combination of pure Black Metal with some classical music influences. Also it is a great opportunity to get a good taste of the band before their new album, which they are currently working on, is released.