After the fall of Berlin Wall in 1989, the Eastern countries of Europe finally were set free from a left wing dictatorship, and Metal finally could be heard in those countries where a nasty and cruel persecution happened. In these days, is was usual to see bands from countries that were part of Soviet Union, as Poland, who revealed a strong scene that gave to the world names as VADER, BEHEMOTH, HATE and many others, but one excellent name that isn't known as it deserves is from the quartet BLAZE OF PERDITION, and their 5th album, called "The Harrowing of Hearts" is a fine surprise.

They stay away from the brutal and extreme model used by their patriots, and even being classified as a Black Metal band, they gather many influences from Dark Rock and Post Punk (it's easy for those who know to hear traces from names as JOY DIVISION in their musical work). It sounds melancholic, deeper and sometimes experimental, but always nasty and with a great and new insight. Yes, their musical work is mature, filled with energy and non-usual for these days when to sound extreme is the only thing that some Black Metal bands seem to know. The sound quality was conceived to keep some aspects of the roughness that Black Metal bands use, but always in a way that can be easily understood by the listeners. Their songs are sounding with the right balance between weight, aggressiveness and clarity.

Although their musical work is a recollection of many different influences, "The Harrowing of Hearts" isn't an album hard to be understood and loved. The aggressive impact with a melancholic feeling shown on "Suffering Made Bliss" (these deep and harsh tunes on vocals aren't usual, but fit perfectly on their work, and what a technical work from bass guitar), the catchy dark melodies heard on "With Madman's Faith" and "Transmutation of Sins", the Post Punk/Dark Rock touches used on the aggressive harmonies of "What Christ Has Kept Apart" (very good guitars and keyboards parts) are their best moments. But the personal version they did for "Moonchild" (an old hymn from the English Gothic Rock legend FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM) is really amazing, keeping its accessible elements, but pulsing with the aggressiveness of the quartet.

BLAZE OF PERDITION really did a great work on "The Harrowing of Hearts", and if everything goes in the right direction, this album with make them more known throughout the world.