Review by JD on November 30, 2011.

Black Metal has to do a few things to me. It has to make my neck hairs stand up, the dark side of my soul come alive while the strict Lutheran upbringing of my childhood then flees in terror. That is when I knew the Black Metal is so good. Me thinks that I might have found that feeling with veteran Finnish Satanic Metallers Archgoat.

Basic and nasty, Archgoat knows the power of that certain balancing point between the raw satanic explosion of sounds and intense musical attack. With powerful and hate derived vocals amid a sea of heavy and skull cracking guitars, this band has found a way to make the basic premise of Black Metal come alive to kill all religions except its own with the most blood soaked ands blasphemous fuelled metal since the first few Bathory albums.

As Ep’s go, this is a perfect one. Each song is a brilliantly written musical sonata styled homage to Satan, wrapped up in a simple yet powerfully heavy music that has all the tactfulness of a shotgun fired up the ass - all of which is perfectly executed in its fiendish task. 'Blessed Vulva' is the one track that stands out on the EP, pounding away at every inner sence you have and winning.

"Heavenly Vulva" is not perfectly recorded, but that is what makes the sound for Archgoat all the more compelling. With all of this savagery and demonic ingenuity, these Finns are one of the best in the Black Metal world. There are other BM acts that sound much more polished than what you have here, but with the vibe you get with Archgoat - it makes their music much more powerful.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8.5
Production: 8
Originality: 8
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.5 out of 10