Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce pure fucking old school death and thrash metal, with the emphasis on "fucking and "metal. Ok, perhaps death and thrash doesn't describe it as good as "pure fucking brutal does; more brutal than Charles Bronson opening a can of whoopass on a disabled and really old lady just for being against gun control.
If you have already checked the band members, then your mouth should be already covered in residues of extreme drooling. Yes, we are talking about the core of Therion and Rickard Evensand, known from his insane drumming at Soilwork and other bands, currently a member of Chimaira.
This project was originally Kristian's idea; he's been working on that with his brother for some time, but it never worked out quite right. Chris and Rickard were the missing elements to make this beauty complete. Chris contributed a bit in the music and was responsible for the lyrical concept; the coming of the four Riders of the Apocalypse.
It's kick in the groin of all those who whine about metal "back in those days and how they think it was more aggressive and original. And a damn hard one too.
"War Gods, "Firestorms and "Witchburners intend to make your neck snap from the sheer intensity of old school maiming and thrashing.  Excellent guitars, relentless drumming, inspired bass performance and Chris grunting his soul out. I mean, damn can he grunt. Probably his best vocal performance, ever.
And this goes on for the rest of the album. The doom-ish "14th Century Plague follows. Slow, heavy guitars and more grunts about those days of pure fun, death and torment in the streets. Yeah I am sick but that's not the issue.
So your neck has recovered a bit by now. Back to work with "Hunger My Consort. Slayer riffs with death vocals? Can I cry from happiness now? Not yet.
A tribute to the older Therion albums follow, named "The Evocation but with tons of maturity added to it. Death grunts are combined with awe inspiring vocals and some memorable riffs and great guitaring. Can this get any better? It sure can.
At last, it's time for the "Arrival Of The Horsemen. An intro fitting for the title and a speed thrash part that follows meant to turn you into a mosh-pitting (I just love grammar abuse) beast.
The "End Of Our Times follows. Damn, what can I say for this one? This is a pure classic thrash/death masterpiece. If someone says that originality in this kind of music died somewhere in the early 90s, take this album and rub it on his face. Twice.
By the way this is my favorite pick out of this album.
"Death couldn't deserve anything less than a 9' brutal epic with twists and turns; nothing better for an album like this to end.
On the technical side, the production is top notch. Therion's own "Modern Art studio was used and you can't find a single glitch to it. Everyone is a top musician in his field so of course no complaints there either. There are elements of the entire range of brutal metal in there. Old school Thrash, Death and Black, all meet to show a couple of things to the ones losing their faith in metal. Next time you hear about a big nu-metal band and their latest album "Yo Thiz Das Shit Boyyyy, laugh out loud while pointing at the guy with the buggy pants, turn the volume way right (or left for the British and the imperial islands and former conquests) and scream "HERE'S SOME FUCKIN' METAL FOR YOUUUUU BLUARGHHHH!. Then enjoy Demonoid.
P.S.: The cover is simply brilliant, one of the best I've seen in ages!
P.P.S.(or P.S.S for the "Post Scriptum Secundum theory fans): This promo was originally sent to Thodoris who was kind enough to mention that this was made by members of Therion (big mistake). After serious life threats and negotiations concerning promo exchanges (and me whining; "maaah-ine, let me have it, maaah-ine), he was kind enough to give it to the rightful owner. Being an editor can be humiliating some times...