The first thing that I noticed when I got this album was that... well, it was kind of late in our appointment since it was released last November (and it arrived at the METAL TEMPLE headquarters a while ago). Anyway, let's see who these HELL-BORN guys are.

First of all, let me mention that these guys carry a decent musical history since Baal and Les are ex members of BEHEMOTH, while Paul is the new drummer of VADER. The Polish scene has produced great music and I guess that HELL-BORN aim to be a part of the elite of that scene, the thing is IF they can do it.

Musically HELL-BORN is a great band with high technical skills and composing talent, but... there is a huge BUT here. These guys are mostly into the Death/Thrash sound, though they seem unable to maintain a personal style. The first song and the epic atmosphere of the second one reminded me a lot of AMON AMARTH. In other songs, you see a more traditional Death/Thrash band with less melody and more brutality. In other songs the band even gets away from the catchiness of Thrash Metal and becomes a Polish Death Metal war machine. Every song kicks major ass, but when you reach the end of Darkness you realize that you still haven't understood who are they and what exactly they represent.

Great musicianship, awesome skills, killer productions but a band that still hasn't found its musical ID. Too bad since they seem able to produce high quality releases. I am already waiting for their next album since I am damn sure that it will take them way up!