Playing intricate, powerful and varied black metal overshadowed by the distinctive trademark of the early Norwegian scene (along the lines of early Satyricon, Gorgoroth and Storm recordings), Sigrblot move with impressive ease from speeding raw black metal onslaughts (as on "Manifest (Blood religion part II)") to slower segues influenced by traditional and/or medieval music -- as the incredible chorus on "Döende Generations Dom" or the glorious Storm-hailing bridge on "Ödesjord" testify to. Tastefully interspersed appearances of various acoustic instruments, samples or non-black metal musical components grace this release with a welcome spectrum of varied emotions and atmospheres; in addition, _Blodsband (BRM)_ also benefits from an excellent production, striking a fine balance between raw black-metallic harshness and power. Judging from this first release, Sigrblot's most impressive ability is this enigmatic band's capacity to fuse lyrical concepts, music and production into a coherent entity, which writhes and seethes with enthralling homogeneity in its black metal-tinged fury.

I'll eagerly be looking forward to hearing more epic black metal from Sigrblot in the future, and can only hope that the band's political outspokenness will not make this raw musical gem impossible to come by via reluctant mailorders.