The man behind NECROVEN is a formidable talent, a force in Black Metal to be truly reckoned with. Single-handedly tackling vocals, guitars, and drums, the maestro known as J.R. unleashed his most musically confident release to date in the form of an EP, "Descent Into The Cryptic Chasm".

The EP only contains two songs, but J.R. does everything he can to make sure that they're memorable and as brutal as can be. This is not to say that NECROVEN are another one of those tiresome hipster experimental Black Metal projects - no, J.R. heads straight to business in the most old school, hard pounding, Punk saluting Black Metal he can fashion.

As is the case with most old school-mongers, this record is not swimming with shitloads of originality. That being said, if you're looking for some good old brutal Black Metal, you don't have to look any further than "Descent Into The Cryptic Chasm". Since redundancy and repetition is a curse that often befalls artists of NECROVEN's caliber, it's actually a good thing that there're only two songs in this EP. That way, "Descent Into The Cryptic Chasm" works as a window of introduction to the world of old school Black Metal. The listener first satiates his thirst with "Descent Into The Cryptic Chasm", before venturing into the darker places of old school Black Metal, never having to fear being struck by the disease of redundancy since he never lingers on one artist for too long.

My only gripe is the production, which sounds a bit thin at certain points. The drums in particular have a very hollow, almost weak sound to them. Aside from that, the entire EP is a glorious tribute to Black Metal at its best - an unrelenting force of music that will give you the most brutal ten minutes yet.