Review by Felix on January 16, 2021.

Desaster never disappoint their followers, they always stick to their guns. This also applies to this EP, though it is not a highlight in Desaster’s discography.

The band wanted to release this EP to have published something similar to Sodom's "Expurse of Sodomy". So much for the theory. But back in 1987, Sodom released three epochal new tracks. By contrast, Desaster skimp on first published tunes. 'Fields of Triumph' appeared on their debut. And as everyone knows, the cover song 'Before the Creation of Time' honors Unleashed. Subject to these conditions, Desaster fought a losing battle in comparison with Tom Angelripper's battalion.

Nevertheless, the title track is a good standard. But on closer examination, this song might be the sole reason for buying this EP. In such circumstances, Desaster should have offered more than decent riffs, a solid chorus and the typical demonic vocals. Somehow the song just feels semi-finished. Perhaps this is due to its short play time of three minutes. So let us focus on the B-Side.

The re-edition of 'Fields of Triumph' might make sense due to the blurred production of the debut. But to be clear, I would have preferred a second new track, even if 'Fields of Triumph' is a further example of Desaster’s finest trademark. They combine a medieval melody with malicious thrash and the result is very impressive - not least because of the powerful production.

Cover songs should be forbidden. Anyway, Desaster have increased the speed of Unleashed's classic and it is still an outstanding song. But first and foremost Unleashed deserve the praise.

One last note: the association with Sodom's legendary EP is emphasized by the simple, timeless design of the cover.

Rating: 7.1 out of 10

Review by JD on May 30, 2012.

Sweden’s Evergrey has never impressed me, yet they get some killer reviews and good press. I now get one of their older albums to review, and I sit down with an open mind to see what it is that I ether have overlooked... or reaffirm what is it that I don’t like about this band and their music.

"The Inner Circle" has been touted as one of their best releases ever and I have listened to the album now four times to give it a proper chance. What I have heard on this album through the four plays it got was the realization that this album really is not worthy of the adulation it had gotten. What I was hearing, was not metal... definitely not metal.

Lackluster writing that seem to be slapped together, half hearted riffs that are ridiculous to a fault and sounding like a bargain basement Nickelback without the talent to pull even that cheesy shit off. And that my friends are the strong points on the album. Ten songs that the titles seemed to hold some promise of blowing me away - ten songs that simply are bad songs, and are not metal. Can’t get worse than that, boys and girls.

I have heard two other Evergrey albums ("Torn" and "Glorious Collision") and a few single songs over the years, and they were kind of good in a way, just not my style. "The Inner Circle" on the other hand is bad from start to finish, really bad. The band seemingly was going for a more radio friendly, commercially lucrative sound to appeal to a wider audience and fell flat on their asses. They are a metal band but on this album, they forgot that fact and went into commercially boring. Thank God that they seemed to finally remember that fact... they are Metal... this album I think they claim ignorance.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 5
Atmosphere: 3
Production: 4
Originality: 4
Overall: 3.5

Rating: 3.9 out of 10