Review by JD on September 8, 2016.

I have been saying this for a while and I am gonna say it again for those who are kind of thick headed or just stubborn in their thinking: thrash is not dead. A perfect case in point is this wicked old school styled thrash act from Long Island, New York that prove my point better than anyone.

Taking a whole shit load of inspiration from fellow East Coast thrashers Anthrax and the mighty Overkill as well, To the Pain does not scrimp on the thrash or the passion that is needed. With slashing solos and bludgeoning riffs, they prove that thrash is not dead.

I enjoy the feel that this band brings to the table. Old school fire melds so well with a freshness that adds to the power. Through the six songs, there is not one bad track – there is this strong comparison to older Anthrax going through, but To The Pain also have a handle of making it sound creative as well and not like a tribute band trying to write originals. It sometimes can muddy the line at times between original and sound alike, but more often than not it’s pretty outstanding.

This was one album that I enjoyed, but I might not listen to it many times. It was well made and well played, but in the end, my mind wanders to other albums as it usually does. Anyways, here is the rating.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by JD on September 8, 2016.

I have been saying this for a while and I am gonna say it again for those who are kind of thick headed or just stubborn in their thinking: thrash is not dead. A perfect case in point is this wicked old school styled thrash act from Long Island, New York that prove my point better than anyone.

Taking a whole shit load of inspiration from fellow East Coast thrashers Anthrax and the mighty Overkill as well, To the Pain does not scrimp on the thrash or the passion that is needed. With slashing solos and bludgeoning riffs, they prove that thrash is not dead.

I enjoy the feel that this band brings to the table. Old school fire melds so well with a freshness that adds to the power. Through the six songs, there is not one bad track – there is this strong comparison to older Anthrax going through, but To The Pain also have a handle of making it sound creative as well and not like a tribute band trying to write originals. It sometimes can muddy the line at times between original and sound alike, but more often than not it’s pretty outstanding.

This was one album that I enjoyed, but I might not listen to it many times. It was well made and well played, but in the end, my mind wanders to other albums as it usually does. Anyways, here is the rating.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Jack on February 15, 2003.

Australian black metal? Something of an oddity to most fragile metal minds, but down under we are blessed with one of the finest metal acts in Astriaal. Astriaal plays a black metal brand that harkens back to the older days of black metal circa 1995-1997 where bands like Borknagar and Old Man’s Child were carving a name for themselves with shredding black monstrosities spliced with acoustic interludes, rasping vocals and hypnotizing dark hymns.

At the end of 2002 Astriaal released upon the world "Deception Revelation", a 7 track EP featuring a blistering new track from their forthcoming album ("Renascent Misanthropy"), two live tracks, a re-recorded track from their early demo ("Glories of the Nightsky"), and finally an exclusive three track closer called 'Revelations' to end the EP experience.

These five guys are at the peak of what they are doing at the moment. If you couldn't get enough of the top black metal that was coming out before all black metal bands went cyber and futuristic, (I am talking the medieval black metal back in the glory days) then Astriaal are your new favorite band. However there is something cutting edge and revolutionary in Astriaal's concoctions of black mastery that enable them to still flourish in this day and age, making it a worthy EP that black metal fans, and possible metal fans should hunt down.

Bottom Line: "Deception Revelation" is a fine EP and a worthy introduction to the world of Astriaal which should hopefully hook folks onto their forthcoming album in "Renascent Misanthropy" that should be a corker if the track 'Ode to Antiquity' is anything to go by.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

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

Rating: 7.6 of 10