CoC : The Ancients Rebirth - Damnated Hell's Arrival : Review

The Ancients Rebirth - _Damnated Hell's Arrival_
(Necropolis, 1997)
by: Pedro Azevedo (7 out of 10)

While this may not be close to the best of Swedish black metal, _Damnated Hell's Arrival_ is still a good MCD with plenty of aggression and good technical skills. Plus, it's 30 minutes long, which is more than the usual for an MCD. The black metal found here contains a certain thrash influence with good results; this follow-up to TAR's 1996 debut full-length _Drain the Portal in Blood_ is thus harsher and less melodic than what most Swedish bands have been producing, adding more of a black/thrash feel while trying to retain some of the technicality of those other Swedish acts. The result can get quite good at times, but isn't much above average most of the time. Still, as an MCD, it contains enough quality to deserve some attention.

(article published 1/9/1998)