Into the darkest corners of history and human mind, what could possibly overcome their mystic influential vapor? Since everything is in the ear of the listener, it is quite an enigma, but I have to admit that it is easy to be entangled by the magic of such moments. Deeply rooted in the old school extreme Metal of the early 90s, a new act emerged in The Netherlands named INTO THE ARCANE. Founded by some of the veteran members of the Dutch scene, and surely it has its respect, in particular thanks to the tremendous Death Metal acts that reigned over it in the early 90s, and even some do nowadays, it didn't take long till the first chaotic preaching came to play. Newly signed to the local extreme Metal factory of Vic Records, "Het Verlangen Der Geest" EP emerged out of the gloom. It was hard to translate the title to anything of a sense in English, yet I believe that it has something to do with desire and spirit. Still mystic? I bet it is, however, as you will find out, the music is not.

Since the first chords, and also due to the fact that it was founded by veterans that have enough idea of how to revamp the old ways, it wasn't that hard to notice the approach of INTO THE ARCANE. Clinging to the consuming blending of Death / Doom / Gothic Metal, "Het Verlangen Der Geest" is immersed with pale melancholy, yet also ample brutality. The EP's music is virtually simplistic, with easy to comprehend arrangement along with its riffages that are of the BLACK SABBATH / CELTIC FROST origins. Furthermore, the band outlined attractive, yet agonized in spirit, lead guitar melodic licks that might actuate a far memory of the early discography of PARADISE LOST, certainly an appealing factor through the entire release. In overall I favored the songwriting, though on several occasions it was too much slumber and less of my expected gratifying drama, explicitly since the Gothic elements that sunk their teeth on every track.

"What Lies Beneath the Shroud" smeared off the early 90s wizardry of PARADISE LOST, mostly the "Gothic" and "Icon" eras, illustrating a melodious riffing along with meaty slow tempo gallop of pure Doom Metal haze, which eventually erupts as a cataclysmic Death Metal declaration. The melodic lick might be suffocated throughout the tune, but eventually it was worth it, as it turned out to be one of the song's premiere factors. "The Innocent Hunter" is an aggressive pompous groover, consisting of the band's Gothic elements fever, including a dramatically drenched in pain melodic lick, a solid tune of epic proportions. Lastly, "The Glass King" established itself as the EP's punchy Death / Doom track, displaying the share of the vocal qualities of the early incarnation of Peter Steele on the vocal line. However, though its majestic status, it sounded a bit messy in its drumming, as if not entirely synchronized with the music.

"Het Verlangen Der Geest" is a decent comeback to one of the better outcomes of extreme Metal of almost three decades ago. However, I don't think it is enough in order for me to actually taste the band, a full length is in order.