What do we usually expect from Black Metal? If it's razor sharp and grinding riffs, insanely fast drumming and a sinister sound throughout; it's all here in Portland based Black Metallers, INFERNUS, with no disregard for dark and almost tongue-in-cheek track names. Dripping with sounds not dissimilar from the likes of BATHORY, MERCYFUL FATE and VENOM, these guys must certainly appeal to fans of the bands mentioned above.

The dark, twisted and indescribably menacing melodies that underlie each track are hard to ignore, as they are personally what makes the feel of this latest album so ominous. Not only is this album packed full of your typical Black Metal-esque elements, Thrashy styles can be heard, particularly in "Pagan Warfront". Hredthel's vocals resemble the style of BATHORY's vocalist Quorthon, using eerie, deep and minor melodies alongside the talented clashy drumming style of their drummer Graveloader. The sudden introductions of squealing guitar solos are almost a breath of fresh air from the sultry tone of tracks such as "Verminnihilation" and "Hang the Gutted Christians". I noticed also had some Thrash style lead breaks hidden within the track. I often point out the fact that I believe an album should be a proper audible experience, which is why I have to compliment INFERNUS on the short tracks including the "Intro", "Outro" and "Lay Your Souls Bare Before the Glory of Satan", where atmosphere is taken into consideration.

Although I appreciate the strict and unspoken codes of Black Metal and how it presents itself, I cannot help but wonder what INFERNUS have brought to the table, with regards to this dark, yet greatly respected genre. They have the whole Satanic image going for them, and track titles to make Satan himself grin, yet they seem too safely embedded within this genre. Having said this, if it is staying true to the Black Metal sound they want, they have very much achieved this with this album and do the genre proud.<