While their strong use of melody and comparatively full production suggest another addition to the oversubscribed third wave of black metal, they possess aggressiveness that Mystic Circle, Old Man's Child et al can only dream of. Plus there is a distinct lack of symphonic overtures, and their melodic leanings are not overdone, while an alternation between mid-tempo and blasting helps retain interest.

The album closes with a cover of Darkthrone's "Transylvanian Hunger", which has adopted Gehenna's approach of ceaseless blasting -- and just as boring; a disappointing end to an otherwise promising release

The Ukraine has already proved its worth with respect to NSBM and folk metal, while Lucifugum and Forgot epitomise the rawer side. While this is not on the same level as Kroda or Nokturnal Mortum in terms of quality, it seems that the Ukraine may be yet prove to a dominant force in this aspect of black metal in the years to come.