WOW, what a fine Black Metal piece this album is!!!

THRALL is a Black Metal band coming from Melbourne (in Australia), having roots in Tasmania, but their new work, "Aokigahara Jukai" (it's a forest in Mont Fuji, Japan, where strange phenomena occurs, and it's called "forest of suicide", for clear reasons, as well) is a fine album.

The band's style is a more traditional Black Metal in the very same way of SATYRICON in their times of "Nemesis Divina", but being a little harsher and without the atmospheric moments of them. Sometimes fast, other one slower and darkened, this quartet is really impressive. Their work is very good, indeed.

The sound production is fine, with a good work from Neil Thomason in the mixing and Billy Anderson in the mastering (and he worked with some names as NEUROSIS, SWANS, SLEEP, BRUTAL TRUTH, THE UNSANE, BUZZOV•EN, RDP, FANTÔMAS, MR. BUNGLE, and many others), so the sound in strong and heavy, without tearing apart the weight and that Black Metal oppressive feeling.

And be prepared for the slaughter.

The best songs: the oppressive "Longing for Death" (with tempos slower, making the drums and bass appear more than the others, but with some great guitar works), the wonderful "Aokigahara Jukai" (what fine riffs and vocals!), the faster "Of Hate", and the slower and morbid "The Pact" (again great works from drums and vocals, with oppressive riffs).

Fine piece of morbid music, without doubts.