Review by Chris Pratl on February 19, 2017.

Blackened death is still alive in the bowels of Eastern Europe, and more specifically Poland, where Blackhorned Saga calls home. The band's third release, Seten, is a 30-minute foray into some fairly ornery music, and while nothing is necessarily new here it's a pretty entertaining release.

Pretty much everything you might expect with the current run of blackened death metal is found in Seten with all of the speedy nonchalance usually associated with it. As I said, not much will shock or otherwise assuage your need for something newly innovative, but on the whole the Polska crew manages to delve deep into the well and pull forth a musically sound effort. The faster tracks round out the sound to an expected degree, but it's the slower, more crafted tracks like 'Proklamacja Boskosci (Proclamation of Divinity)' that almost carry a Burzum-like feel to them in primitive guitar tone without losing any quality. It's in these somewhat less frantic tracks that the true black metal spirit can truly be heard and appreciated. The following track, 'Kielich Goryczy (Gall and Wormwood)' has a definitive early Norwegian black feel to it without copying that ancient style so distinctly that ho-hum cries of piracy are abound. I tend to gravitate more towards these type of tracks myself, so I suppose it's safe to say lovers of both genres may find something engaging here.

While reinventing the wheel in this music is never going to happen, managing to assemble a collective worthy of visitation in this over-saturated medium is about the best you can hope for, and Blackhorned Saga delivers a competent, albeit familiar half-hour of tunes easily admissible as worthwhile.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by JD on December 10, 2012.

Experience... no matter what it is that you do or going to do, is a strong tool to have. One such experienced act has been around since 1995, and brings you metal that is a true product made by a band that has wallowed in the trenches of small clubs and other less inviting venues and has honed their craft like a well oiled military machine kicking their opponents asses. May I introduce Pennsylvania trio Pale Divine.

This American based band seems to be a sort of metallic potpourri. I hear some seriously impressive Classic Doom Metal, slowly pounding out with ingenious yet instantly catchy riffs while some Hard Rock of the 70's era looms to create this sort of colour that also blends in with a good shot of NWOBHM that is anchoring ever note. These guys rock hard, all the while never making anyone feel dumb.

One simple listen to such masterpieces as the slamming heaviness of 'Angel of Mercy' to the epic crush of 'The Desolate' - it is that rare blending of everything into one monster sound. The vocals are clean and full of emotions, coming for with the low paced fire that only a true vocalist could turn out. Reminding me of Trouble ex-vocalist Eric Wagner, singer Greg Diener takes this, morphing it into something that is expressive and fresh - while still pulling out your soul.

I have many other reviews that some people in the industry do not like where this band is going because of subtle changes from straight Doom into a sort of Doom/Stoner style with some faster parts, but I think this is exactly where Pale Divine should be. With songs like this, I believe that this band will make headway if they stay true to themselves. That is pretty much a done deal.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9.5
Production: 8.5
Originality: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by JD on December 10, 2012.

Experience... no matter what it is that you do or going to do, is a strong tool to have. One such experienced act has been around since 1995, and brings you metal that is a true product made by a band that has wallowed in the trenches of small clubs and other less inviting venues and has honed their craft like a well oiled military machine kicking their opponents asses. May I introduce Pennsylvania trio Pale Divine.

This American based band seems to be a sort of metallic potpourri. I hear some seriously impressive Classic Doom Metal, slowly pounding out with ingenious yet instantly catchy riffs while some Hard Rock of the 70's era looms to create this sort of colour that also blends in with a good shot of NWOBHM that is anchoring ever note. These guys rock hard, all the while never making anyone feel dumb.

One simple listen to such masterpieces as the slamming heaviness of 'Angel of Mercy' to the epic crush of 'The Desolate' - it is that rare blending of everything into one monster sound. The vocals are clean and full of emotions, coming for with the low paced fire that only a true vocalist could turn out. Reminding me of Trouble ex-vocalist Eric Wagner, singer Greg Diener takes this, morphing it into something that is expressive and fresh - while still pulling out your soul.

I have many other reviews that some people in the industry do not like where this band is going because of subtle changes from straight Doom into a sort of Doom/Stoner style with some faster parts, but I think this is exactly where Pale Divine should be. With songs like this, I believe that this band will make headway if they stay true to themselves. That is pretty much a done deal.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9.5
Production: 8.5
Originality: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by JD on December 10, 2012.

Experience... no matter what it is that you do or going to do, is a strong tool to have. One such experienced act has been around since 1995, and brings you metal that is a true product made by a band that has wallowed in the trenches of small clubs and other less inviting venues and has honed their craft like a well oiled military machine kicking their opponents asses. May I introduce Pennsylvania trio Pale Divine.

This American based band seems to be a sort of metallic potpourri. I hear some seriously impressive Classic Doom Metal, slowly pounding out with ingenious yet instantly catchy riffs while some Hard Rock of the 70's era looms to create this sort of colour that also blends in with a good shot of NWOBHM that is anchoring ever note. These guys rock hard, all the while never making anyone feel dumb.

One simple listen to such masterpieces as the slamming heaviness of 'Angel of Mercy' to the epic crush of 'The Desolate' - it is that rare blending of everything into one monster sound. The vocals are clean and full of emotions, coming for with the low paced fire that only a true vocalist could turn out. Reminding me of Trouble ex-vocalist Eric Wagner, singer Greg Diener takes this, morphing it into something that is expressive and fresh - while still pulling out your soul.

I have many other reviews that some people in the industry do not like where this band is going because of subtle changes from straight Doom into a sort of Doom/Stoner style with some faster parts, but I think this is exactly where Pale Divine should be. With songs like this, I believe that this band will make headway if they stay true to themselves. That is pretty much a done deal.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9.5
Production: 8.5
Originality: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9 out of 10