From a certain point of view, as some Metal genres become evident to the public, there are changes on the geographical axis. What these words mean is that when a specific Metal genre becomes commercially successful, a country (of many) becomes a barn for it. On the 70's Metal was strong on England, and it happened again during NWOBHM days; Thrash Metal moved the axis to USA and Germany; Death Metal became more evident on USA, Sweden and England; and Black Metal on Norway, Sweden and Greece. Todays, the things are not so rigid as on the past, but Germany is not a traditional country for extreme Metal bands, especially when Black Metal is the main theme. Yes, there are many excellent Black metal acts on Germany, but the idea is that 90% of the bands are hidden into underground depths. So to hear an EP as "In Contemptuous Defiance", of the trio FIAT NOX, is a good surprise.

Their musical work is based on a fusion between two trenches on Old School Black Metal: the essential work of the ancients of the 80's (especially BATHORY and HELLHAMMER) with the outfit of the first years of the Second Wave of Black Metal on the 90's. This is the main reason for such crude approach with some Black/Thrash Metal influences (remembering that SODOM, KREATOR and DESTRUCTION early releases are huge influences for Black Metal), but using a level of personality on what they're playing. It's really a very good work. The sonority of "In Contemptuous Defiance" follows the model laid during the years between 1994 and 1996: nothing as raw and putrid as in the early years of the genre, trying to be cleaner and defined, but keeping the rawness of OSBM. And it works in a very good way, but it could be better in some aspects.

"Zealotry of Ruin" is a massive combination of Black/Thrash Metal elements with the morbid crude ambiences of the 90's (what means that the guitars are very good). The same appears on "Amok Hymn", full of a brutal energy with fast tempos (and very good shrieks). "Unheiligkeitsklage" is another fast song, but tempered with nasty melodies and ambiences. And "Those Shunned Hills" shows contrasts between fast and slow tempos, in a massive onslaught done by bass guitar and drums. "In Contemptuous Defiance" shows a work that can seduce the fans of the old days of Black Metal, but it will give FIAT NOX some fans of the new tendencies as well.