All remaining reservations evaporated completely two minutes into the first proper song, a suicidal slice of post-Gallic desperation. Apparently Vrolok started out as yet another raw black metal band, but have since morphed into a more complex and despairing beast.

To imbue their music with such a sense of anger and despair is not easy, despite irksome comments by assorted ignoramuses. The sound is raw with loads of reverb (but not ridiculously so), meandering between slowed down despair and blasts of feral fury. There is a strong religious aspect, as implied by the stained glass cover, but only to subvert the very concept of religion.

Apparently this was recorded in 2005, so I am unclear why this is only being released now. There is certainly nothing to be embarrassed about here. It is probably not an exaggeration to say that they are the most noteworthy USBM band since the demise of Grand Belial's Key.