Review by Adam M on May 4, 2017.

Crimson Dawn performs an epic form of traditional doom. The band plays a style similar to Black Sabbath and Candlemass, but there are also parallels to the new Pallbearer to be found here. The ability to compare this band to many doom acts credits them strongly as a band.

The gloomy, downtrodden riffs here are gleaming and powerful. It is a combination that doesn’t necessarily make them positive sounding, but makes them epic and addictive. The band is perhaps most similar to Candlemass, even in the singing. This is doom that forms the foundation for the genre. One can see the typical sounds of the genre in the song Skeleton Key, for example. Musically, there is something to like in all aspects here. The vocals are sharp and poignant and help the music. The riffs are strong and resonate with the listener. Add in some solid drumming and the musicianship is of a high quality.

It is really the deep, dark riffs that steal the show, however. They are simply a joy to behold and make the music more moving each second. The album really sticks to a similar formula for the majority of its length and makes sure to ingrain it into your brain. The music is epic, yet very structured and certainly worth of the traditional vibe. If there is any problem with the music it’s that it’s somewhat unoriginal. This style has been performed before and done slightly better if one only looks at the classic Nightfall album from Candlemass. Still, the band nurtures this type of music.

They make the doom guitar riff cool again and proceed to throw a number of them into your face. One will only come out loving the doom genre again even if it is a little too similar to the masters. Chronicles of an Undead Hunter is strongly recommended doom metal.

Rating: 7.6 out of 10

Review by Alex on June 4, 2020.

I had no clue this was in the works! Walpurgia a new war metal committee is formed by members that have played in Disharmony, Hate Manifesto, Black Blood Invocation and Kawir; hence if you're familiar with any of those bands, by default you should want Altar of the Goatbaphomet on CD and 12' Vinyl released through Helter Skelter and Regain Records.

It had only been recently Black Blood Invocation performed a ritual alongside death metal masters Imprecation (USA) titled "Diabolical Flames of the Ascended Dead", which spawned many praises by those of whom made contact with it. We also witnessed Kawir put their pagan black metal steel to flesh with their milestone and monolith of an album "Αδράστεια (Adrásteia)". Now, without warning, members involved in both bands (among other diabolical practices) unleash a face smashing, hammer of desecration through their debut demo Altar of the Goatbaphomet. Focused on the beefy mid-paced side of the war metal spectrum, Walpurgia deliver 5 tracks reflective of their hatred for the right-hand path. If you've ever had encounters with Wargoat (Greece), Necrobode or even some of Archgoat ("Light of Phosphorus", etc.), you'd agree that this demo fits superbly within that category of the genre. It's got the licks, the punch and the vibrancy to summon repeated listens. With badass track titles like 'Altar of the Goatbaphomet', 'Anomalistic Orgies of the Mephistophel' and 'Sadistic Recrucifixion', equipped with the music to drive home the feelings connected with those names, you won't want the session to meet an end.

All contributions are up to standard with what is commonly accepted within war metal; from the artwork to the malicious vocals, stoning drums and restless guitar-work, Walpurgia immediately secures a position in the desecrated soil of the underground war metal scene among the rising privileged. You'd be lucky if the vinyl and cd have not sold out as yet. A must have for black/death metal warmongers.

Rating: 8 out of 10