The first indication that we're in for far more than just the hyperblasting vehemence of _Plague Angel_ comes as early as "The Levelling Dust" -- the album opener and a grinding, atmospheric orgy of lava-like riffing and a sustained, pummelling groove. Vocalist Mortuus sounds positively demented; his rasp echoing more along the lines of the death-howl of something out of "Night of the Living Dead" than your average black metal screamer. "Cold Mouth Prayer" takes us back to traditional (read: faster) Marduk fare, but even here the execution is that much more precise and pulverizing.

The record's true delights are saved for later however, starting with a harrowing instrumental in "1651" -- an almost extravagant take on Wagnerian baroque. On the equally brooding "Accuser / Opposer", Primordial singer Alan Nemtheanga's arresting voice delivers a staggering caesura, before the song's dying moments are wholly dominated by Gregorian chants.

As for the concept itself, who cares? Something to do with sin entering the world through man, death coming to all men, and so on.

Ten albums in, and Marduk haven't just topped their previous efforts; they each one sound utterly prosaic by comparison. That alone should be more than enough to get just about anyone with the slightest fondness for black metal very ebullient indeed.