Review borrowed from Metal Archives, written by shantanupatni1991

Right from the way this album starts I knew it was going to be another genre essential. The first song, Prelusion to Cythraul / ...And Shineth Unto the Cold Cometh..., starts with acoustic leads and an atmosphere created by winds and thunderstorms, commonly only seen in folk metal bands. After two minutes we hear a signature Proscriptor drum roll and the annihilation begins! From there there’s no looking back. They have recreated the aggression they showed on The Sun of Tiphareth and added more variety and tempo alterations with it. Amongst the three classics they’ve already come out with (The Sun, Tara & this one), this one is usually overlooked despite the fact that it’s just as good as them if not better. The 80s thrash assault, to precise the kind Exodus are known for, has been amplified and presented here. Now imagine what that would be like, and I can assure you I’m not exaggerating. The amount of thrash is considerably more here as compared to the previous offering but then so is the medieval atmosphere, resulting in a mixture so unique and distinct that you’re completely blown away before you know it. The riffs are newer, fresher, and more complex. Yet they manage to keep up with the monstrous speed of the drums. It disappoints me that they haven’t released any DVD so far and I can’t see them live. I’m writing this review at 1 in the afternoon whereas I heard the album the night before. What I’m saying is that my neck is seriously hurting with that entire head banging I did. Heck, I don’t feel so exhausted when I come back from actual gigs. Now that’s how powerful this release is. And I repeat; I am not exaggerating. There are very few black metal bands I listen to frequently. This is one of them alongside giants like Bathory and Satyricon. The work is just so original that you never get enough of it, which isn’t the case with other artists in the genre. I haven’t shown as much interest in Mayhem, Darthrone, Gorgoroth or Burzum as much as I have shown in this band. These guys just deserve the attention more, in my humble opinion. They’re so good that they make the hype surrounding the aforementioned artists look ridiculous and unwanted. Sure, you might say I haven’t given them a proper listen but then I didn’t give this band much of a chance either. But they were able to grab my attention so easily that I never felt the need to finish the basics first. Black metal has never been my favourite sub-genre of metal I’ll tell you, but this band will probably make sure that it does. From two minute fillers to 8 minute epics, everything is just perfect here. I’m running out of words to describe how great this band really is. The longest track on the album, ...Of Celtic Fire, We Are Born - Terminus (...In the Eyes of Ioldanach), is easily the best and is able to bring back fine memories of when I first heard songs like Walk The Path Of Sorrow, Dark Medieval Times or A Fine Day To Die. Such vibrant and brilliant use of effects and side instruments to create atmosphere can be seen rarely. Acoustic guitar, keyboards, flutes, everything can be identified. The song epitomizes technical song construction and beautiful instrumental arrangements in a black metal record. It’s like musicians more talented than Rush or Dream Theater came together and created a black metal band.