The German Black Metal band has as a main feature being the mix of the crude approach of the genre during the earlier days on the 90's. But there also another facet: those brutal and aggressive bands that prefers to use some Thrash Metal influences. That's the case of SHRINE OF INSANABILIS shown on "Vast Vortex Litanies". Their music is bitter, aggressive and brutal in an old format of Black/Thrash Metal. In the right proportions, it can be said as an Old School Black Metal musical work, when the genre carried a strong influence from earlier Thrash Metal bands from Germany as SODOM and DESTRUCTION. Obviously the band has a great musical potential to explore, but it's already good as it is.

Necromorbus mixed and mastered the songs of "Vast Vortex Litanies", creating something that is clear and defined in a way that the listener can understand everything that is being played. On the other hand, the crude feeling that permeates the songs comes from the instrumental tunes used by the band, in the most simple and Old School form. And the final result is really good (but could be better). The band is really very good, as the fast as brutal "Parallax Endeavour" (very good guitars, indeed), the bitter ambiance shown on "Lusting After a Burning Star" (where the tempos are not extremely fast, giving an Old School Black Metal touch to it, and the shrieked tunes on vocals are a wise choice for their music), the shrapnel pile-driving tempos of "Vertex" (very good work from bass guitar and drums), the rusty melancholic melodies shown on "Mother and Executioner", and the long and mighty blow given by "Verdict" are here to show.

"Vast Vortex Litanies" is really a good album, and it is a nice choice for addicted fans of Black/Thrash Metal or extreme Metal in general. But the musical potential of SHRINE OF INSANABILIS is far greater, showing that they can explore deeper features of their own music.