From their EPK, "on "The North Sea," DEADNATE dives deep into the human condition, as they focus on man's relation internally and to nature. The band's lyrics are to be compared to a meaningful painting filled with symbolics, where the text is the means to explain the details of the piece. In this manner, the title song utilizes the ocean as an image of the human mind, of the contradictory traits within us, and how our pride can drown us, if we do not navigate properly. In continuation of this, DEADNATE also looks outwards on our dualistic, but primarily destructive relation to the very nature, that we are part of ourselves. The band does not claim to hold the truth or to deliver direct cultural criticism, but instead shares an outcry, which in its own complex manner bids us to decide upon our ways and the world we live in. Honesty is essential for DEADNATE, but as in their music and thematics there is more than meets the eye and to reach this, it demands an effort, a purpose and a will of its own."

"Aurora" leads off the album. It's a short, two-minute mood setter. The mood is solemn, and a bit dark. It picks up in speed and accuracy as it moves along, ending in some blast beat drumming. "Downhearted" opens with heavy staccato tones and shouted harsh vocals. Some clean harmonic vocals mix in at the chorus, but make no mistake, this is a bulky and almost elephantine affair. "The North Sea" features some immediate time changes with clean vocals over a bed of heavy guitar accents. The band masters timekeeping with seamless shifting to and fro.

"Winter" is a longer offering, opening with solitary lead notes that join in harmony. Some early melodies develop, amidst the heavy guitar and drum strikes. The vocals are ethereal and pensive here, creating a sort of inner peace with the season most of us hate. "Northern Lights" is a more punishing offering, with both clean and harsh vocals at different times. The dissonant melodies in the guitars actually becomes hypnotic after a bit, drawing you in. "WaVeS" opens with a heavy riff and drum thuds among some clean vocals. It's a bit of a dreamy affair from there, or perhaps more of a nightmare, depending on how you look at it. Heavy tones pepper the landscape and eventually take over.

"Worshippers" is a short song with a ton of energy and intensity, especially from the sturdy interchange between drummer Ole and bassist Frederik. The screams here would wake zombies from hundreds of miles away. "Epitaph" is, as the title suggests, a slower and more mellow tune. Clean guitars paint a landscape fast-forwarded to your final days. When you look back, do you have any regrets? Ah, don't we all. It's part of being human. The band really drives these regrets home in this song. "Cold Star" begins with jovial guitar chords that segue into more driving rhythms. Before you know it, this hot shot of pure burning lead is over. "Feral Madness" closes the album. Steady dark tones lead off the song. The musicianship of the band is on full display, and they dance in and around with perfect timing.

The more grounded and simplistic side of me was hoping for a little more melody out of the album, but it's clear that the pounding in your head was most of the band's intention. The harsh vocals are raging and extensive, but when they slow down a bit and let some melody take over, it's pleasing. But hey, this is Metal, so what do most of us expect? One thing is for sure, the band has all the chops necessary for this style of music, and this is a fairly unique offering to boot.