Debut full length release from Celtic history and mythology themed atmospheric black metal out of New Zealand. OLDE THRONE may well just become the hottest new commodity in one man atmospheric black metal projects, tapping into the same vein as artists like AFKSY or FUATH/SAOR and still maintaining a personality that is very much their own. Debut album "An Gorta Mór" is an absolute barnstormer of a initial offering from the Christchurch based artist. Everything about this record makes you want to scuttle, grimace and clutch at the air (essentially just doing your best impression of ABBATH) and everyone should be absolutely living for this sound.

It hits the perfect balance of cold atmosphere and firepowered pain and fury. The guitars sound absolutely fantastic throughout the whole of this, the tone is nailed perfectly, lots of mid and high range, scant in the low end, plenty of reverb. Creating a sound that totally encompasses you, swirling around your head like like a thick fog trying to drag you further into a forest in which you are already lost.

The quality of the riffs played as well is outstanding, clear, tremolo picked moments, with just enough filth to them that will stick in your head for days after, the main riff in "Knockdoe" being a perfect example of this. Some listeners may find that the guitar work is quite simple, and yes you would be right, but here in lies the beauty of this record, the multi layered almost droning simplicity, backed up by pounding and blasting drums, allows you to fall into this world the artist has created. There's such beautifully haunting melodies conjured up through the playing, that are bound to stick in your head for days.

"Children of Lir" is a standout moment amongst a whole host of outstanding tracks. Repetition and recall are such staples of black metal you could be forgiven for not realising how difficult a balance it is to strike, and it is here where they prove sticking with a riff or a beat for just the right amount of reps can build and build tension to breaking point and move onto the next phase, never fully releasing, just giving a moment for a transference of the energy. All over this record everting is timed to perfection avoiding the traps so many fall into of allowing riffs and phrases to just overstay their welcome.

As this is an atmospheric album, talking about the atmosphere is an absolute must, as alluded to above this album creates a whole world for you to fall into, everything fits so perfectly. There is an air of morbidity and melancholy that fits perfectly with the songs, which really lifts them to new heights creating something so dark but so enjoyable. You don't need to understand the history or the stories behind the material, it is a feeling, something which simply hits you. A sense of epicness of folk tales passed down through centuries reimagined into dense and brooding songs, forcing you through journey with them with expert skill and attention to details.

Overall this is a record any fan of dark and cold black metal is bound to enjoy, simple yet infinitely effective and affecting, this album can stand tall alongside contemporary and legendary peers alike.