Do not judge a book by its cover, an old and mostly true statement but one that does not really apply to "Sulfur and Bane" from PRINCIPALITY OF HELL. One look at the disc with its Venom goat like head and simple black background telling the listener straight away what he or she can expect. True to form, first song ''Blood Moon Rising'' wastes no time in crashing out the gate after a short introductory prayer recital, with its fast primitive rhythm and pounding drums the song makes it clear where the bands influences come from. The production another indicator where their allegiances truly lie with the bands drum sound pushed further to the back of the mix and the vocals brought slightly more forward, the guitars thinner but more transparent than on their previous release.

''Sons of the Desert'' is a slower but no less more powerful affair with the more mid paced rhythm being cleverly interrupted with effective acoustic breaks reminiscent of Slayer on Seasons of the Abyss, and short spoken word interludes, the aforementioned breaks giving the song a somewhat ominous pet cemetery like feel.

''The invisible Empire'', is a more straight forward song that does not vary much in its overall rhythmic structure, going form a mid-paced and grinding riff to a slightly faster structure interlaced by well-placed double drum fills and a melodic solo section towards the songs end.

Title track ''Sulfur and Bane'' does not add much difference to proceedings the song being similar with the previous song.

''The Diabolist'' is faster with a galloping rhythm and driving drums, the song possesses a Unleashed type old school death Viking sound as if that band and Venom had an extra marital affair.

The remaining original songs are in the same vein as all the previous tracks with particular mention having to go to ''In the shadows of Sodom'' with its very Kerry King inspired solo and almost grindcore like beat. Rounding off the disc are covers of Venom, Bathory, Celtic frost and Slayer classics, the band showing their influences while at the same time honoring their heroes. While this release offers nothing really sonically new, it is nonetheless a convincing tribute to some of the greats of the past.

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