Shadow Season have their roots in Norway and Ireland. The latter not being the most obvious country one would expect a black metal to originate from (except for Primordial, the best black band from Ireland, in my opinion). Shadow Season have done a good job with this Mini CD. Four intelligent black metal songs reminiscent of Gehenna in their Adimiron Black period and Zyklon in the more chaotic parts. Mix in a few old-school riffs and you’ll have an idea what Shadow Season is about. Well, what do you expect if you have Trym (Ex-Emperor/Zyklon) as a guest musician on the four tracks? This guy definitely needs a boost of fresh oxygen after playing these songs in the studio. Lots of blast beats, blast beats and oh did I mention the blast beats?? The band produced the CD themselves (except for the drums, which were produced in the famous Akkerhaugen Lydstudio by T. Akkerhaugen), and I have to say, they did it superbly. Good production and the vocals (courtesy of two singers actually: Dolgar (Forlorn, ex-Gehenna) and Sanrabb (Gehenna) provide the guest vocals) fit into the sound nicely.

You can actually hear every instrument, which often seems to be a problem in the black metal scene, but it does not sound too polished. It’s ‘dirty’ and clean at the same time. Don’t expect a Cradle of Filth production but expect something in the vein of the sound of Satyricon’s ’Volcano’ album. The music is intelligent. If you listen to ‘To Scorn The Suicide Earth’ you’ll know exactly what I mean. Blast beats, breaks, and a great (and catchy) riff. ‘Phantom In The Glass’ contains more blast-work, and my god, Trym definitely is one of the best drummers in the current Black Metal Scene. The other songs ‘Frozen’ and ‘Cataclysonic Ancient Illusion’ are that great as well. A fine MCD released on a relatively unknown label (Sound Riot). Fans of Gehenna, Zyklon and other quality Black Metal acts should buy this CD!