Review by Tobias on April 17, 2002.

Somewhere in a penumbra of grunge, hard rock and metal, Elektrik Mistress is about as inspiring as their name.

Terry Brown, famed for his production work with Rush, Voivod and Fates Warning seems to have agreed to produce this mediocre garage band for only god knows what reasons. While the band seems to have a good time doing what they do, and play some tunes that might get a suburban sports bar rocking, there doesn’t seem to be much talent on this album.

To add to it, I’m not sure if it was intentional, but the acoustics of the album sound like the entire disc was recorded in an underground wash echoing and leaving a sense of empty space.

Even though there are some reasonable rock n’ roll elements, in general, this is really cheesey music. Songs like ‘Shining Star’ have lyrics that I might sing to my own ass while trying to squeeze out a motherload into my toilet.

I think the most interesting thing on this album are the bass lines. The guitar riffs are droll and seem to have ripped off many of the songs I wrote in the bands I was in as a tyke.

Well, I really have nothing more to say because there isn’t too much on this album to speak of.

Bottom Line: Not bad, but not much metal either. Palatable for many social situations, but I have yet to think of one where this would fit well.

Categorical Rating Breakdown
Musicianship: 5
Atmosphere: 6
Originality: 5
Production: 5
Overall: 5

Rating: 5.2 of 10

Review by Tobias on April 17, 2002.

Somewhere in a penumbra of grunge, hard rock and metal, Elektrik Mistress is about as inspiring as their name.

Terry Brown, famed for his production work with Rush, Voivod and Fates Warning seems to have agreed to produce this mediocre garage band for only god knows what reasons. While the band seems to have a good time doing what they do, and play some tunes that might get a suburban sports bar rocking, there doesn’t seem to be much talent on this album.

To add to it, I’m not sure if it was intentional, but the acoustics of the album sound like the entire disc was recorded in an underground wash echoing and leaving a sense of empty space.

Even though there are some reasonable rock n’ roll elements, in general, this is really cheesey music. Songs like ‘Shining Star’ have lyrics that I might sing to my own ass while trying to squeeze out a motherload into my toilet.

I think the most interesting thing on this album are the bass lines. The guitar riffs are droll and seem to have ripped off many of the songs I wrote in the bands I was in as a tyke.

Well, I really have nothing more to say because there isn’t too much on this album to speak of.

Bottom Line: Not bad, but not much metal either. Palatable for many social situations, but I have yet to think of one where this would fit well.

Categorical Rating Breakdown
Musicianship: 5
Atmosphere: 6
Originality: 5
Production: 5
Overall: 5

Rating: 5.2 of 10

Review by JD on October 26, 2015.

I had heard the name Balmog for a while and knew they were from Spain… and that was it for what I knew. What the band was about I never knew or had a clue but do I know who and what they are now. YEP!

With so much licence being taken by so many bands, it is hard to say what black metal is now. Avant-garde, atmospheric and industrial is now the mainstay in the BM scene, which pisses me off. I believe that people, like me, want old school, in your face BM. Balmog delivers this like a two by four to the head directly to the fucking point without any question.

Seven blasphemous, blast beat fueled and satanic growled songs are here. Lo-fi mixed with traditional 90’s BM fury... you got Balmog. No subtleties, no ambiance just forty two minutes of black metal maelstrom in your mind. Want proof? Just listen to the song "Flesh Offering" and you will see a proud sonata to Satan set to cranium cracking metal that makes neighbors run and hide.

If you don’t want some 90’s BM go search elsewhere… if you want old school blast beats and flesh ripping riffs to go with your satanic words just pickup Balmog. Satan urges you.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by JD on October 26, 2015.

I had heard the name Balmog for a while and knew they were from Spain… and that was it for what I knew. What the band was about I never knew or had a clue but do I know who and what they are now. YEP!

With so much licence being taken by so many bands, it is hard to say what black metal is now. Avant-garde, atmospheric and industrial is now the mainstay in the BM scene, which pisses me off. I believe that people, like me, want old school, in your face BM. Balmog delivers this like a two by four to the head directly to the fucking point without any question.

Seven blasphemous, blast beat fueled and satanic growled songs are here. Lo-fi mixed with traditional 90’s BM fury... you got Balmog. No subtleties, no ambiance just forty two minutes of black metal maelstrom in your mind. Want proof? Just listen to the song "Flesh Offering" and you will see a proud sonata to Satan set to cranium cracking metal that makes neighbors run and hide.

If you don’t want some 90’s BM go search elsewhere… if you want old school blast beats and flesh ripping riffs to go with your satanic words just pickup Balmog. Satan urges you.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10