Review by Chris Pratl on January 15, 2019.

Germany’s Evil Spirit is the audio equivalent of someone taking a slow razor and drawing it horizontally across your back, only to shift direction and cascade the same blade vertically throughout the entire demo’s length. Once the makeshift crucifix has been affixed to your body in deep red and black you may only then employ all of the sadism and low-fi simmering that these three songs offer.

The Obsessed, Cathedral, Reverend Bizarre and of course the Birmingham four come to mind when delving into Evil Spirit’s first demo. If you wish to get even more modern, try and imagine a Procession album with some ‘jolt’ to it. With a vocal pattern so schizophrenic and throaty that it’s unlike anything in the doom genre this debut demo is a nice change of pace from the normal Sabbath-worship I’m so accustomed to with this doom ‘comeback’ of sorts. The thick, familiar tone is just fuzzy enough to appeal to the longtime doom fans of the 70’s and glazed with just a small amount of prog to appeal to the layman not easily impressed with typicality and patterns in the ivy. “Infectious Worms” is an incredibly traditional slab of doom that is catchy and will definitely stick in your head for a while. Those vocals are the most resonating part to me, but as a whole the demo is really well done and produced quite nicely. 

Without a complete genre overhaul nothing these days can be like hearing Black Sabbath for the first time like most did on January 13, 1970, but for the modern day this duo fascinates and permeates just fine. I’d like to hear more of this in the future so here’s hoping, guys!

Rating: 9 out of 10

(Originally written for www.metalpsalter.com)

Review by Krys on March 31, 2007.

OK, let me get straight to the point here. Is this the best Dimmu Borgir's album? No. Is it better than their last effort "Death Cult Armageddon"? Yes. As many of you already know "In Sorte Diaboli" is a concept album and Dimmu's gamble paid of for those waiting for a darker and heavier release but because of this they've lost some of that "Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia" grooviness that made you bang your head with uncontrollable fury. I have to say that Dimmu surprised me a little here, their trademark symphonic/theatrical parts are still visible and play a big role in the whole concept but they are slightly reduced compared to the previous efforts and are replaced with more guitar heavy structures. The power and dynamics of the album are masterfully managed by Hellhammer whose drumming is so complex and precise that I don't think a drum machine would do a better job. Because of the nature of the story I expected a little more in a vocal department but there's not much new outside of few spoken or whispered passages. I only wish Vortex had a bigger role in this tale cause his voice is one of the most unique and recognizable vocals in metal and in my opinion should be used to its full potential, especially on the concept album. So, there you have it... Like them or hate' em but since "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" every release from those Norwegians is a big event in the heavy metal world and "In Sorte Diaboli" definitely stands up from the crowd and writes a new glorious chapter in Dimmu Borgir's career but for me it falls a little short from being called a masterpiece.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Originality: 7
Production: 9
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

Review by Krys on March 31, 2007.

OK, let me get straight to the point here. Is this the best Dimmu Borgir's album? No. Is it better than their last effort "Death Cult Armageddon"? Yes. As many of you already know "In Sorte Diaboli" is a concept album and Dimmu's gamble paid of for those waiting for a darker and heavier release but because of this they've lost some of that "Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia" grooviness that made you bang your head with uncontrollable fury. I have to say that Dimmu surprised me a little here, their trademark symphonic/theatrical parts are still visible and play a big role in the whole concept but they are slightly reduced compared to the previous efforts and are replaced with more guitar heavy structures. The power and dynamics of the album are masterfully managed by Hellhammer whose drumming is so complex and precise that I don't think a drum machine would do a better job. Because of the nature of the story I expected a little more in a vocal department but there's not much new outside of few spoken or whispered passages. I only wish Vortex had a bigger role in this tale cause his voice is one of the most unique and recognizable vocals in metal and in my opinion should be used to its full potential, especially on the concept album. So, there you have it... Like them or hate' em but since "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" every release from those Norwegians is a big event in the heavy metal world and "In Sorte Diaboli" definitely stands up from the crowd and writes a new glorious chapter in Dimmu Borgir's career but for me it falls a little short from being called a masterpiece.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Originality: 7
Production: 9
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

Review by Krys on March 31, 2007.

OK, let me get straight to the point here. Is this the best Dimmu Borgir's album? No. Is it better than their last effort "Death Cult Armageddon"? Yes. As many of you already know "In Sorte Diaboli" is a concept album and Dimmu's gamble paid of for those waiting for a darker and heavier release but because of this they've lost some of that "Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia" grooviness that made you bang your head with uncontrollable fury. I have to say that Dimmu surprised me a little here, their trademark symphonic/theatrical parts are still visible and play a big role in the whole concept but they are slightly reduced compared to the previous efforts and are replaced with more guitar heavy structures. The power and dynamics of the album are masterfully managed by Hellhammer whose drumming is so complex and precise that I don't think a drum machine would do a better job. Because of the nature of the story I expected a little more in a vocal department but there's not much new outside of few spoken or whispered passages. I only wish Vortex had a bigger role in this tale cause his voice is one of the most unique and recognizable vocals in metal and in my opinion should be used to its full potential, especially on the concept album. So, there you have it... Like them or hate' em but since "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" every release from those Norwegians is a big event in the heavy metal world and "In Sorte Diaboli" definitely stands up from the crowd and writes a new glorious chapter in Dimmu Borgir's career but for me it falls a little short from being called a masterpiece.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Originality: 7
Production: 9
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.4 out of 10