CoC : In Aeternum - Past and Present Sins : Review

In Aeternum - _Past and Present Sins_
(Necropolis Records, 2001)
by: Aaron McKay (9 out of 10)

Going back away, I remember reviewing In Aeternum's _The Pestilent Plague_ [CoC #49] and giving it a score of 6. Obviously a lot of time went into that review, and in reading over it again for some background to work up a piece for _Past and Present Sins_, I don't think I would change so much as a word. Now, however, I am presented a brilliant and inspired melange of In Aeternum's material going back to 1995, culminating with live cuts from the Plague Across Europe Tour 2001. Beginning with the newest offering on this CD, In Aeternum cracks things wide open with "Cursed Legions" driving proficiently and with celebrated guest vocals by Schmier of Destruction. A cut is taken from the _Demon Possession_ 7", "Witches Spell" and my favorite, "The Arrival of the Horde", fall into place exceptionally well with super-heated aggression tempered with limitless head-thrashing grooves. Powerful. "The Pale Black Death", "Black Moon Attraction", "Defeat Life" and "The Storm of Triumph" furnish a skilled, but harsh subjugation of current In Aeternum offerings. These songs enforce a wicked standard early on in an aura of coarse, earthy vocal and guitar tones. Very convincing. There are two extremely well done remakes on _PaPS_: Venom's "Countess Bathory" and King Diamond's "Abigail". Losing little to nothing in a live setting, IA bust off four callous and raspy tracks, "Wolves Blood", "Revelation of Hell", "Ultimate Warfare" (all from _The Pestilent Plague_) and a severely great performance of "When the Vultures Left". From the elaborate and complex cover artwork to the range of material In Aeternum packs onto _Past and Present Sins_, I can see no other option; buy this!

(article published 19/10/2001)

ALBUMS
25/10/2000	A McKay	6	In Aeternum - The Pestilent Plague
15/6/1999	P Azevedo	7	In Aeternum - Forever Blasphemy

GIGS
29/7/2004	J Smit	Akercocke / Mystic Circle / In Aeternum	Deicide? We Didn't Need No Stinkin' Deicide!