Melodic Black Metal band HAIMAD formed in Sweden in 1994. It's been twenty long years since their last EP so the title of this new one, "The Return," is well done. There have however been many, many changes to the scene over the past 20 years that I am not sure where to begin. Let's just say that today, nearly anything goes in the genre. So, will these guys remain purists, untouched by the annals of time, or work to actively engage in beyond the Second Wave of Black Metal sound that we find ourselves in today? Let's get to the music and find out.

"The Return" is over seven minutes in length, opening with some light and harrowing Symphonic elements and a lengthy and ominous build-up. When the main riff hits, it's like being dropped into the abyss in the middle of a grand ceremony to coronate a new king of Hell. Those frightening vocals that remind you to check under your bed every night are augmented with light symphonic elements in the music. At around the half-way mark, it drops to whispering and a solitary guitar. It picks back up to the original sound as it rolls forward to completion. "The Prophecy" is shorter but no less intense, opening with rolling of drums as a steam engine moving forward at top speeds. There is again a nice pause around the half-way mark that gives reflection before the harrowing sound returns, thicker with despondence then before.

"Upon a Throne of Ice" opens with ominous bell strikes and a slow roll of percussion. Through a slower pace, they let out just a bit of melody, especially in conjunction with the symphonic elements. It's sad, in a peaceful way. "My Kingdom of Cold" closes the album, in grand fashion. The symphonic elements really shine here and hook you into the song. That is, from meat hooks from something shadowy dragging you down to your final resting place. The vocals are tortured wails, and make you feel both sad and afraid at the same time. Overall, I liked the album. The symphonic elements really augmented the deep Black Metal sound, but did not take over it. It has that great balance between Old and New school Black Metal with enough of a modern sound to make it enjoyable to new fans of the genre as well.