If only they spent the same amount of time on the songs as they did on raking up evil-sounding titles, they might be able to stake a claim to France's best black metal band, but the mix of Immortal and Mayhem inspired Nordic fury and atmosphere and thrashy rhythms battle to hold the attention. I also expected better from a band making such a boast; the album sounds like a debut with its stale, predictable progressions and overt references to their influences, but I expected more from supposedly experienced musicians. It's more listenable than Krof's solo project Aigro Mucifelam (read it backwards), but at least that offered something a bit different, even if it failed. If Maleficum Orgia truly is the oldest black metal band in France, this will probably be destined for cult status irrespective of its merits, and I suspect that alone will sadly detract attention away from more promising acts.