Review by JD on September 5, 2016.

It is nice to see a band with such a history, come out of nowhere to kick your ass handily while giving you a hard rock history lesson for free. The band I speak of, oddly endearing , has resurfaced to claim hard rock glory. This is Germany’s hidden gems Epitaph.

Formed in 1969, Epitaph was being described as a psychedelic progressive rock band with jazzy sort of leanings. The band became quite the celebrities through the country, opening for big acts like Black Sabbath and prog gods Yes. As time moved on, along with multiple line-up changes and long break ups as well, the music went more hard rock that then morphed into early style of metal. Now the elder statesmen of the music have unleashed a new album for your pleasures.

With a sound set firmly in the hard rock of the 70’s, upgraded a little towards the harder rock of the very early 80’s, it all ends up sounding very fresh - Epitaph launches into it. Using violins along with the standard hard rock instruments the band gives an eclectic sound that fits the music perfectly. Songs like the infectious riff of 'Fighting in the Streets', to the Styx styled rocker 'Man without a Face', they bring the style of old hard rock to newer audiences.

The album itself does sound dated in many spots, but that is the purposeful charm of it as the material does translate well to today’s hard rockers. It is worth a listen, but it will not be for everyone sadly – but we can learn from these veterans nonetheless. It is a time capsule of a sort, the trick is to allow ourselves to embrace the melodies that it all holds.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by JD on September 5, 2016.

It is nice to see a band with such a history, come out of nowhere to kick your ass handily while giving you a hard rock history lesson for free. The band I speak of, oddly endearing , has resurfaced to claim hard rock glory. This is Germany’s hidden gems Epitaph.

Formed in 1969, Epitaph was being described as a psychedelic progressive rock band with jazzy sort of leanings. The band became quite the celebrities through the country, opening for big acts like Black Sabbath and prog gods Yes. As time moved on, along with multiple line-up changes and long break ups as well, the music went more hard rock that then morphed into early style of metal. Now the elder statesmen of the music have unleashed a new album for your pleasures.

With a sound set firmly in the hard rock of the 70’s, upgraded a little towards the harder rock of the very early 80’s, it all ends up sounding very fresh - Epitaph launches into it. Using violins along with the standard hard rock instruments the band gives an eclectic sound that fits the music perfectly. Songs like the infectious riff of 'Fighting in the Streets', to the Styx styled rocker 'Man without a Face', they bring the style of old hard rock to newer audiences.

The album itself does sound dated in many spots, but that is the purposeful charm of it as the material does translate well to today’s hard rockers. It is worth a listen, but it will not be for everyone sadly – but we can learn from these veterans nonetheless. It is a time capsule of a sort, the trick is to allow ourselves to embrace the melodies that it all holds.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Jack on June 24, 2001.

A first when I chucked this on release, from what were then, the undisputed kings of black magic, I was mildly impressed with Dimmu Borgir’s new album. Shagrath’s vox had improved, Tjodalv had improved his furious blast beats, and they have an Australian bloke handling lead guitars, namely Astennu, things may be looking up for Dimmu Borgir, they also had Mustis on synthesizers. Then I had to back up a few notches, I mean “what the fuck?!”, “they have Mustis on synthesizers”!?! What happened to Stian and his synthesizers? Dimmu Borgir in all their infinite wisdom had decided to eject Stian Aarstad and his synthesizer skills from the band.

Aside from those factors, I will endeavour to concentrate on the rest of this CD review. If it wasn’t Dimmu Borgir, this release wouldn’t be half-bad, but the fact is, this is Dimmu Borgir, and we all know they are capable of so much more. Really this CD does make me quite sad.

This CD is not quite in the vein of their two earlier releases, and diverts slightly away from the more symphonic side of black metal. Production is top notch, as you’d expect from the Abyss Studio and Peter Tatgren. Worthy of note on "Spiritual Black Dimensions" is that Dimmu Borgir have employed their first usage of clean vocals. Borknagar’s then bassist and front man ICS Vortex handled those duties. All things considered this ain’t a half bad CD, I just expected a bit more from this overly talented outfit.

Bottom Line: If you have the rest of the Dimmu Borgir albums in your collection, then by all means buy this one, but if you don’t then I recommend "Stormblast", "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" or "Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia". "Spiritual Black Dimensions" will probably turn you off Dimmu Borgir.

Rating: 7 out of 10