Outside it’s 10 degrees sub zero and the darkness is growing stronger. With the sun gone behind the horizon, the atmosphere is complete; it’s time for the latest release of Slechtvalk, called ‘The War That Plagues The Land’. I didn’t know it was possible, but my heart turns even colder now I listen to this album. Not that the music is completely new, but the compositions are really good. The mix of dark and black metal reaches its climax in songs as ‘A Plea For The King’, or ‘From Behind The Trees’. I shiver when the calm and emotional parts reach me, but also the fast and furious parts are really convincing. The grim vocals are supported by a soprano and (sporadically) by clean male vocals.

The only thing I can criticise are the drums. The bass drums sound very ‘thin’ and they are not well mixed; sometimes they drown out the rest of the music. Don’t get me wrong, the drums (and especially the bass drums) sound really interesting, but sometimes they lead my thoughts away from the rest of the music. This concept album really has conquered my heart and for the dark and black metal fans that like emotion, melody and grimness: this album was made for you. You can love them and you can hate them, but Slechtvalk will continue their haunt for your dark soul… they already have mine.