Review by Adam M on August 4, 2014.

Panopticon have an atmospheric element that is beyond words and highly addictive. Switching between folk and jazz elements at random is done so successfully on this work. The music is sometimes raw, which I’m not usually drawn towards in black metal, but the emotional impact of other musical elements always take the foreground over this. Coming in at a long running time, the amount of moods created here never lets the music become boring. Instead, a rollercoaster of wonderful emotions is constantly stimulated to lead to an entertained reaction from the listener. There are a couple of moments of sparse sonic utilization to be found, but they are counterbalanced with an excellent array of harsher moments that are grand and majestic.

The dichotomy is similar to older Opeth, but the music is more akin to folk than that. Really, regardless of originality, the musicianship and song-writing are both top notch and constantly propel the album towards greatness. Never is the listener left with a day-dreaming feeling as there is always some musical element that will grab their attention. Instrumentally, the guitar work and drums is done professionally well by limited musicians. Hearing that this is mainly the work of one musician named Austin Lunn, I am impressed by the density of the music here. The production is quite crisp although the instruments could be slightly clearer. The vocals are appropriate, but it’s the instrumental work that I find myself drawn towards throughout the length of the work. As the songs are more like grand pieces of music tied together, I find it difficult to find a standout track and simply recommend the album as a whole. People that are drawn towards the folk side of black metal will enjoy this most, but the emotionally wrought material found on Roads to the North should appeal to almost anyone.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by JD on March 24, 2009.

The term Satyrasis is a medical name for a sexual dysfunctional disorder, but there is no dysfunction when it comes to the band of the same name... you get something more. Brutal, unabashed and possessing sheer aggression is the only prescription that is being dealt out by these lads.

If you take equal amounts of the brutal band called Carnivore sheer antagonism and aggressiveness then match it up with the technicality of early Metallica, then heap in a some song smarts and furious melodies ala the mighty machine that is Slayer - you'll get this hulking beast that is named Satyrasis. They use all of this, and then add in something that is the key ingredient in this... originality!

They do not coddle you, or sooth you with prettiness... they are in your face and rocking your ass off. Songs such as the monstrously heavy 'Lockjaw' and the monstrously insane 'A Sheep In Wolf's Clothing' are exactly what the band is about. Vocally, they do seem like ol' Carnivore in a very eerie sort of way, but musically they take the other parts of their influences and make something that is truly their own.

This Michigan-based band is one of those rare breed of bands, that can not only use what they have learned from their influences... they use it and build something that the whole world should take note of. They may not be perfect in the eyes of most metalheads, but they are fast getting the ability to be just that.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7.5
Production: 7
Originality:8
Overall: 7.5


Rating: 7.6 out of 10

Review by JD on March 24, 2009.

The term Satyrasis is a medical name for a sexual dysfunctional disorder, but there is no dysfunction when it comes to the band of the same name... you get something more. Brutal, unabashed and possessing sheer aggression is the only prescription that is being dealt out by these lads.

If you take equal amounts of the brutal band called Carnivore sheer antagonism and aggressiveness then match it up with the technicality of early Metallica, then heap in a some song smarts and furious melodies ala the mighty machine that is Slayer - you'll get this hulking beast that is named Satyrasis. They use all of this, and then add in something that is the key ingredient in this... originality!

They do not coddle you, or sooth you with prettiness... they are in your face and rocking your ass off. Songs such as the monstrously heavy 'Lockjaw' and the monstrously insane 'A Sheep In Wolf's Clothing' are exactly what the band is about. Vocally, they do seem like ol' Carnivore in a very eerie sort of way, but musically they take the other parts of their influences and make something that is truly their own.

This Michigan-based band is one of those rare breed of bands, that can not only use what they have learned from their influences... they use it and build something that the whole world should take note of. They may not be perfect in the eyes of most metalheads, but they are fast getting the ability to be just that.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7.5
Production: 7
Originality:8
Overall: 7.5


Rating: 7.6 out of 10

Review by JD on March 24, 2009.

The term Satyrasis is a medical name for a sexual dysfunctional disorder, but there is no dysfunction when it comes to the band of the same name... you get something more. Brutal, unabashed and possessing sheer aggression is the only prescription that is being dealt out by these lads.

If you take equal amounts of the brutal band called Carnivore sheer antagonism and aggressiveness then match it up with the technicality of early Metallica, then heap in a some song smarts and furious melodies ala the mighty machine that is Slayer - you'll get this hulking beast that is named Satyrasis. They use all of this, and then add in something that is the key ingredient in this... originality!

They do not coddle you, or sooth you with prettiness... they are in your face and rocking your ass off. Songs such as the monstrously heavy 'Lockjaw' and the monstrously insane 'A Sheep In Wolf's Clothing' are exactly what the band is about. Vocally, they do seem like ol' Carnivore in a very eerie sort of way, but musically they take the other parts of their influences and make something that is truly their own.

This Michigan-based band is one of those rare breed of bands, that can not only use what they have learned from their influences... they use it and build something that the whole world should take note of. They may not be perfect in the eyes of most metalheads, but they are fast getting the ability to be just that.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7.5
Production: 7
Originality:8
Overall: 7.5


Rating: 7.6 out of 10

Review by JD on March 24, 2009.

The term Satyrasis is a medical name for a sexual dysfunctional disorder, but there is no dysfunction when it comes to the band of the same name... you get something more. Brutal, unabashed and possessing sheer aggression is the only prescription that is being dealt out by these lads.

If you take equal amounts of the brutal band called Carnivore sheer antagonism and aggressiveness then match it up with the technicality of early Metallica, then heap in a some song smarts and furious melodies ala the mighty machine that is Slayer - you'll get this hulking beast that is named Satyrasis. They use all of this, and then add in something that is the key ingredient in this... originality!

They do not coddle you, or sooth you with prettiness... they are in your face and rocking your ass off. Songs such as the monstrously heavy 'Lockjaw' and the monstrously insane 'A Sheep In Wolf's Clothing' are exactly what the band is about. Vocally, they do seem like ol' Carnivore in a very eerie sort of way, but musically they take the other parts of their influences and make something that is truly their own.

This Michigan-based band is one of those rare breed of bands, that can not only use what they have learned from their influences... they use it and build something that the whole world should take note of. They may not be perfect in the eyes of most metalheads, but they are fast getting the ability to be just that.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7.5
Production: 7
Originality:8
Overall: 7.5


Rating: 7.6 out of 10