Imbolc started out in 1997 and with “Symphony of Pain” the band delivers their first six track MCD financed with the studio time they received after winning the “Gooise Goden” contest (a band contest in the region of Utrecht). The band claims to play a mixture between death and black metal and I can only agree with that. The mixture sounds all right and the two vocalists certainly provide their music from the necessary variation. The song material does not really sound very innovative and some of the riffs could have been more compact, some of the songs are unnecessary long. But on the whole this MCD has its nice parts like the melody (old Amorphis) in the bridge of “Hate Emissary” or the title song that reminded me vaguely of bands as Kampfar.

The song “Confession” actually is a sample and the last song “Kaaskraker” shows the band’s interest in Holland’s most important export product. I think Imbolc will be able to score some gigs with this release. The production also could have been better but I’m curious to hear more from this band in the future. If you want to receive a copy of this release check out www.tentacle.nl/imbolc