I suppose it's about time I reacquainted myself with the old school, the black, the blacker and the blackest; a dash of thrash, and even, Satan help me, a few melodies to boot. Such as it were that the reissue of INQUISITION's "Into the Infernal Region's of the Ancient Cult" fell into my lap. The band's debut album, released in 1998, has seen a re-release with zero alterations made to it; no crisp, new master, mix or re-recording. The same twisted, throbbing mass of Black and Thrash, the same reptilian vocals, the same strange lack of bass. Never before have I actually heard a reissue that has been completely untouched by modern audio re-engineering; at the very least, it was an authentic experience.

Even now, it has taken some time for me to actually 'like' the music - INQUISITION has barely ever graced my listening rounds - the vocals being the biggest obstacle, but I can sure as hell appreciate it. The band consists of just two members, Dagon and Incubus, who handle vocal and guitars, and drums, respectively. You read correctly; no bass. In fact, never once has the band utilised a bass guitarist; if you know of INQUISITION, then you likely know of BOLZER, whom also lack a bassist. You may ask if this is a turnoff: were you worried by the lack of audible bass in the rest of the old black metal you listen to? Believe me, it makes no difference. As for the vocals, perhaps the most instantly recognisable facet of the band's music, I think Dagon put it perfectly; he wanted to remove any human aspect from the band's music. Such sounds to be the case from the get-go; "Unholy Magic Attack" is a viciously raw composition, with Blackened, Thrashy riffs, often performed at a mid-tempo pace, are embellished with strange, croaked vocals; it sure as hell doesn't sound like any human vocalist at the microphone.

A little further down track, "The Initiation" shows no signs of letting up; in fact, for me to make clear to the unaware, this is exactly how the vocals are for the rest of the album. This track in particular, they seem to fit best; one of the slowest tracks on the record, it might be mistaken for a particularly occult off-shoot of Doom Metal, if not for the sometimes frantic drumming nuances. However, when it comes to the much faster, more aggressive and brutal pieces such as the "Journey to Infernukeorreka" or the title track, I can't seem to get my head around the music, at all; the jarring clashing between the Blackened Thrash and the strange vocals may even be TOO strange. Of course, one must perform in however style they see fit; not everyone will like it, and many may hate it, but, admirably so, I know that that is not what this band is about; that, at least, deserves commendation.

It is a decent album; maybe even a little revolutionary in its time, but I consider the band to have come a long way in a positive direction as their career furthered, even though I do still consider them rather inaccessible. That, however, is the listener's prerogative, and should not always be considered as a negative.