ENTHRONED “Xes Haereticum” /CD/

The sixth full-length album by cult Belgian Black Metal band.
Enthroned are, along with Cirith Gorgor, one of those bands who surely deserved more luck and attention by the whole scene. While Marduk and Dark Funeral are considered almost Rock Stars, this band continued releasing very good albums, without giving a damn about the other bands. 
Back in 2004, they released “Xes Haereticum”, an album that surely could kick Marduk’s ass in that period. After a violent, brutal album like “Carnage In Worlds Beyond” it was difficult to put out another effort like that. But Enthroned did it. This album is simply great, simply Enthroned style!! They survived to a small period of crisis, with “Armoured Bestial Hell”, that anyway, it's not a bad album but they definitely returned stronger than ever with this one.
This is also the last album of the mythical singer Lord Sabathan, with his typical hellish, screamed voice. His screams are a trademark of Enthroned and they can be recognized among lots of bands.
"Crimsom Legions" opens this new effort and the first thing you can hear is the new drummer: amazing! He is fast as hell, technical and extremely good!! The guitar lines are, as usual for Enthroned, very inspired in "a violent melody", because they are violent Black influenced and very creative at the same time. The long, slow solos over the main rhythm guitar sounds create a sinister, black, epic atmosphere. Great song!! The legion marches on! The following "Dance of a Thousand Knives" is one of the most violent tracks of the album with a great solo break in the middle…dark atmosphere from hell…unique. "Blacker than Black" is a title that explains everything: in this case Enthroned, at the beginning, play very slowly and evil, but the excellent part comes from the fast break in the middle. The most “Epic Black” side of the band can be found in "Vortex of Confusion" song, with the guitar melodies alternated to furious Black influences and blast beats. The only instrumental song is "A.M.S.G." where the instruments are not so clear. They wanted to create a small, occult break to stop for a while the incredible violence of this album. "Night Stalker" song is just amazing; so influenced by melody in the guitar sound with the non-stop blast beats. Sabathan is still a great vocalist, especially in "Hellgium Messiah" song, where the most violent side of the band is shown, along with "Demon’s Claw". Total brutality!
One of the best Enthroned's work. Highly recommended for those who want an inspired, various and f*****g heavy Black Metal album!!
Napalm Records/Irond Ltd., 2004 (IROND CD 04-931). Made in Russia.


Tracklist:
1. Crimson Legions 04:42 Show lyrics
2. Dance of a Thousand Knives (Moksha Bhakti) 03:43 
3. Last Will 03:31 
4. Blacker than Black 04:05 
5. Vortex of Confusion 07:02 
6. A.M.S.G 03:12 
7. Demon's Claw 03:10 
8. Night Stalker 03:05 
9. Seven Plagues, Seven Wraths (XES Revelation) 07:13 
10. Hellgium Messiah 04:54
Bonus Tracks:
11. Crucified Towards Hell 2:50 
12. Satanic Metal Kult 3:36 
13. Under The Guillotine 4:10
Total playing time: 55:23