INTRODUCTION

Don't be confused. This is in effect their debut demo Shub-Niggurath cleaned up and released on a CD. An excellent idea, in my view. Their debut demo is impossible to find anywhere and the music too good to disappear.

Those who knows their debut album knows that this band is not for the faint hearted. Where their debut album was a full frontal attack of infernal claustrophobic darkness, this album is more subtle and more Magma orientated. It still has all the hallmarks of Shub Niggurath though and will please the fans of this band.

The opening track Yog-Sothoth is a hint of things to come on their debut album with it's cascades of claustrophobic sounds, driven by a piano acting as a bass. The only hint, in fact. The other tracks is more subtle with more gentle use of keys, guitars and female vocals. But the dark claustrophobic music is still present. But dare I whisper it, this album is actually beautiful at times. In particular the final track In Memoriam which is a lovely funeral dirge. This album still has some distorted guitars and the usual bass like piano and the tortured trombone. But where there is normally darkness, this album also feature a more lyrical side of Shub Niggurath.

Quality wise, you either hate or love Shub Niggurath. I don't think anyone can be indifferent to their music. I am on the love side of this divide. This album is not as good as their debut album Les Morts Vont Vite. But it is still a great album. Hence my sprinkling of stars.

4 stars