In terms of technicality, there is a noticeable improvement: guitar lines remain taut as a bowstring, creating a series of barbed hooks through which driving blast beats surge. "Journeys Through Pathways Untrod" is an excellent example of this: razor sharp riffs and pummelling blast beats are executed at breakneck speed and grind to a devastating halt at 5:09, where abrasive guitars arch to form deep pockets of melancholic despair. "Defending the Homeland" is much improved from the previous effort, sounding far less tentative and far more honed and assertive. Hrothgar's vocals gain in strength second time round, leaning towards a caustic, rasping roar which complements the backing cacophony with a sheer, bristling barbarism.

When there is so little to be proud of in our politically correct, commercialised little island, this brings back the brooding, druidic days of yore with needle sharp poignancy. This is a rare find indeed, and should be treasured within the underground BM community for many, many years to come. Thank you Hrothgar.