Review by Adam on September 25, 2002.

Darkane have taken thrash metal to a whole new level. Their third album, "Expanding Senses", melds together the brutality of "Rusted Angel" and the aggressiveness of "Insanity" while managing to introduce some new elements as well. Darkane take melodic thrash metal to the very limits making them, for me, one of the important metal bands of the new millennium.

"Expanding Senses" is not too different from Darkane's previous works, however, the band have made several new additions and alterations to their sound making it that much more dynamic. One of the most evident improvements would have to be the vocals. This has to be one of the best metal vocal performances of the year! This guy has an amazing range that was only slightly touched upon on the group's last effort. Darkane have also decided to include some keyboards this time around. Even though they are used sparingly, when they do show up, they definitely make the most of it.

The music on this record is exceptional. Although the band's faster songs are still top notch, it is the band's more mid-tempo material that shines through the most. This shift in dynamics makes the record that much more enjoyable to listen to. Some of the more melodic choruses are incredibly catchy and will have you humming them in your head for days. Ever since I heard the song 'Rusted Angel' I have been waiting for another ending as heavenly as the one on that track, and this time we are treated to two remarkably stunning song endings. One of these songs ends with a classical guitar outro even your grandmother would worship.

The musicianship of this band is first class. Like I said before, the vocals are just phenomenal especially on tracks such as 'Submission' and 'Violence From Within'. As always Peter Wildoer does a superb job on the drums and the guitar playing is amazing. The production quality is also outstanding. The sound is very fat and brutal yet extremely clear so you can hear each instrument perfectly.

This is definitely Darkane's best work to date. "Expanding Senses" has something for nearly every metal fan to enjoy. If you like thrash metal, then this disc is absolutely essential. This is album of the year material right here folks. Buy now!

Bottom Line: Fans of extreme metal and brutal death need this! Fans of melodic death metal should buy this as well! Turn this up until your ears bleed!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 10
Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 10
Overall: 10

Rating: 10 out of 10

Review by Jack on October 13, 2001.

Garm. Does everything he touch turns to gold? Borknagar: 2 great albums. Arcturus: 2 awesome albums. Ulver: 5 ridiculously talented opuses. “La Masquerade Infernale” is the second full length album, from a band that was noted for a rather dark and gloomy first effort with “Aspera Hiems Symfonia”. No one could have predicted this oddball album being released as follow up effort.

“La Masquerade Infernale” follows up “Aspera Hiems Symfonia” with a few similar points of reference. These points of reference are that Arcturus still use Garm’s hymnals and outstanding instrumental collaborations that were present on the debut. That is where the similarities stop, “La Masquerade Infernale” is a completely new and innovative metal album.

To describe the musical content in this epic would be like trying to give a seminar on the concept of global politics to a mute dog.

Everything you thought metal stood for should be wiped from the slate. Death growls, fancy melodic death guitar work from Gothenburg bands, hyper keyboard solos from black metal, although all fine parts of metal... you should erase any misconceptions and precognition about metal from your mind. Enter the world of a dark classical metal opera without any expectations and prepare yourself for what is one of the most outstanding and obscure albums ever created.

“La Masquerade Infernale” is a very keyboard sample driven concept with various classical styling thrown in at almost every track. It is almost as though Arcturus (as musicians) has taken a back seat and let their music grow around the keyboard.

Arcturus’ “La Masquerade Infernale” is puzzling in what it sets out to achieve as a record. Many hundreds of ideas are thrust forward to a palette of whirling colors. A black metal symphony? A phantasms’ opera? Or a horrific, vampiric tragedy? The truth maybe that Arcturus tried to achieve none of the above, all of the above or a combination of the above with other theatrical dealings. The “La Masquerade Infernale” experience will be different for each person who chooses to consume this outstanding product. For me; the “La Masquerade Infernale” experience was an Elizabethan tragedy in the vein of Shakespeare’s MacBeth, whilst holding a very true contemporary urban aristocratic feel.

This is a concept driven album (whatever concept that is, perhaps it is up to the listener to kindle his/her own concept) and as such, “La Masquerade Infernale” holds no stand out tracks. No killer, no filler.

Bottom Line: Arcturus is an enigma, much like Ulver with their doppleganging efforts. Who would know what they would come up with next? You would have to have incredible insight to foresee what Arcturus would come up with after their 3 albums. ”La Masquerade Infernale” is just light-years away from whatever us normal folks could possibly perceive from a metal band. Compulsory purchase.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Jack on October 13, 2001.

Garm. Does everything he touch turns to gold? Borknagar: 2 great albums. Arcturus: 2 awesome albums. Ulver: 5 ridiculously talented opuses. “La Masquerade Infernale” is the second full length album, from a band that was noted for a rather dark and gloomy first effort with “Aspera Hiems Symfonia”. No one could have predicted this oddball album being released as follow up effort.

“La Masquerade Infernale” follows up “Aspera Hiems Symfonia” with a few similar points of reference. These points of reference are that Arcturus still use Garm’s hymnals and outstanding instrumental collaborations that were present on the debut. That is where the similarities stop, “La Masquerade Infernale” is a completely new and innovative metal album.

To describe the musical content in this epic would be like trying to give a seminar on the concept of global politics to a mute dog.

Everything you thought metal stood for should be wiped from the slate. Death growls, fancy melodic death guitar work from Gothenburg bands, hyper keyboard solos from black metal, although all fine parts of metal... you should erase any misconceptions and precognition about metal from your mind. Enter the world of a dark classical metal opera without any expectations and prepare yourself for what is one of the most outstanding and obscure albums ever created.

“La Masquerade Infernale” is a very keyboard sample driven concept with various classical styling thrown in at almost every track. It is almost as though Arcturus (as musicians) has taken a back seat and let their music grow around the keyboard.

Arcturus’ “La Masquerade Infernale” is puzzling in what it sets out to achieve as a record. Many hundreds of ideas are thrust forward to a palette of whirling colors. A black metal symphony? A phantasms’ opera? Or a horrific, vampiric tragedy? The truth maybe that Arcturus tried to achieve none of the above, all of the above or a combination of the above with other theatrical dealings. The “La Masquerade Infernale” experience will be different for each person who chooses to consume this outstanding product. For me; the “La Masquerade Infernale” experience was an Elizabethan tragedy in the vein of Shakespeare’s MacBeth, whilst holding a very true contemporary urban aristocratic feel.

This is a concept driven album (whatever concept that is, perhaps it is up to the listener to kindle his/her own concept) and as such, “La Masquerade Infernale” holds no stand out tracks. No killer, no filler.

Bottom Line: Arcturus is an enigma, much like Ulver with their doppleganging efforts. Who would know what they would come up with next? You would have to have incredible insight to foresee what Arcturus would come up with after their 3 albums. ”La Masquerade Infernale” is just light-years away from whatever us normal folks could possibly perceive from a metal band. Compulsory purchase.

Rating: 9 out of 10