Black Metal, since its dark and dirty origins on the late 70s, has evolved more and more. Of course we still have some rooted bands, following the way of the SWOBM (sorry, but the greater part of the bands that try to bring back something from the 80s become clones), but we have another ones that are looking for something new to do, expanding frontiers and spreading the lesson of the great ones in Metal: to be someone, you must be yourself, and your work must be different from all that was already done. And this lesson was learned and now is being passed by the excellent Italian quartet SPECTRAL FOREST that finally comes with their first album, "The Roots Of Disobedience".

Imagine a Black Metal band that uses melodies without keyboards, but with a refined and elegant technique, without tearing apart their musical impact and brutality. Yes, this is the main idea behind what they are playing, but mere words cannot describe their whole style. They found their own musical identity!

Very good harsh vocals that use tunes different from guttural or shrieked (it's like an aggressive insight of the vocalist's natural voice), some very good and well worked guitar riffs (with a melodic approach that can reminds us from DISSECTION work, but more technical), and a very good rhythmic session. Yes, they came, saw and will conquer with no difficulties at all.

The sound quality is very good, giving them the right tunes for each musical instrument, but clear, heavy and aggressive in the very same way. And that essential dirtiness that Black Metal needs is present as well.

Their musical work is something tasteful, and their six songs are all excellent. But Ole' "Big Daddy" here would like to point "The Witch Behind The Moon" (a very technical and melodic song, having a fine work from guitars), the harsh and technical "Black Storms Land" (an instrumental and very rich song, having some pretty melodic elements in the middle of the brutality, along with great work done by bass and drums), and "Ecclesiastical Shameful" (climatic and full of tempo changes, great vocals and guitars once more) as their finest moments. But again I must say: the entire album is excellent.

These guys came in a great form, so hope a great label can grant them a chance. They can become a great name of Black Metal in a near future.