One of the most complete extreme metal releases I heard lately comes from a newcomer this time. And Satariel is their name. Since 1993 Pär Johansson has been busy to create the perfect band when he came to the conclusion that his band at that time, Dawn of Darkness, was slowing down. And now in 2001 finally a long awaited debut. Due to line up changes (every band has these kind of problems) and their search for the right record company it took a while before Satariel entered the Dug - Out studio with Daniel Bergstrand (Strapping Young Lad, Devin Townsend) to record “Satariel”. But what a splendid debut this is! Satariel is one of these bands who know how to hold my attention 11 tracks long. Satariel has it all. The capability of writing quality songs with a beginning and an end, and the gift of not being privileged by any kind of extreme music.

Satariel wasn’t found to only play death, thrash, black or power metal. No, Satariel does it all at once, and on a way that didn’t disturb me at all. Flaming black metal in “The Claim” to power thrash in “Stranger World”. But also some Swedish death metal in “Coffin Gateways” and so on. But to make it all complete Satariel also uses some fine guitar solo’s and clean vocals. The production is perfect. Compare it with Devin’s releases. This one certainly is going to end high in my year list, that not to be questioned. That’s a fact. Metal heads should have this one in their collection. It remains a pity that you will have to wait until the 28th January.