ANCIENT RITES - The Diabolic Serenades LP (Clear Vinyl)

Pressed on ultra clear vinyl.
Limited to 500 copies.
Comes in a noble gatefold lp with double sided insert including previously unseen pictures
and exclusive liner notes by founding member Gunther Theys.

The song material did not lack of rawness and directness. Its highlights were the straight "Death Messiah" and the more varied "Land of Frost & Despair". In view of their highly memorable riffs, both shine with a rarely heard kind of black catchiness. But each and every song added value to this captivating debut. I appreciate the open-minded later recordings of the band, but I also like their here presented more spontaneous approach. It offers that certain iota of intolerance and to quote their neighbours from the Netherlands, the very strong Infinity: black metal is intolerance. I agree. Thus, if you want to get familiar with the black roots of Ancient Rites, do not hesitate to buy this homogeneous album. Its amazingly mature mixture of grimness and melodies leaves almost nothing to be desired.