Dutch Black Metal four piece, COUNTESS reinstate that Old school Black Metal sound and cleverly incorporate a steadier Rock n' Roll sound to their music. Clearly influenced by the likes of BATHORY and VENOM, it's easy to tell that COUNTESS are experienced musicians, following their previous Fourteen full-length albums.

This album, originally consisting of 8 tracks on a digital-only EP, released in 2013, upholds many great qualities including a very clean guitar sound yet maintain a dirty and raw direction. Although this may be sounding contradictory, you will understand after listening. Orlok's quiet and grizzly vocals reinforce the more traditional Black Metal genre in amongst their music. I was particularly taken with the likes of the fourth track "Child Of The Millennia" as it took a slower yet equally as awesome approach. Starting with a slower pace and singular guitars, it progresses perfectly and becomes more chuggy and rough. This song backs up my notion that they are considerably more Rock n' Roll based than your average Black Metal line-up. The drumming is also what makes COUNTESS much more traditional as it leans towards a more classic sound which works very well. Wolfram does a great job with the pace of the tracks and Herjann's sinister, organ keyboards bring about a menacing feel, especially in tracks like "Alone Against the World". Listening to each of the tracks on this album asserted how important Zagan's guitar work is to complete the sound they are going for. I really like the MANILLA ROAD cover "The Veils Of Negative Existence" which bought life to the 1983 track.

From what I can get from this album, it is packed full of  varying tracks that take a different tone each time. COUNTESS are not afraid to experiment with different sounds and it's a guarantee that there is something to surprise you around every riff. I cannot deny that COUNTESS are a great listen and re-establish the old-school Black Metal sound I know is still greatly appreciated today!