Review by Adam M on July 23, 2025.

This was a nice change of pace for melodic death metal when it came out with its distinctive sound and interesting style.  The band puts forth powerful music that is resonant and highly infectious.  There is melody and power in equal measures to be found and this elevates the album into higher realms of possibility.

The musicianship is solid with powerful guitars and a vocalist that has the right rough edge for the music underneath him.  There is a very strong melody to be found in all songs and this leads the album to be very addictive.  It is one of the pioneering melodic death metal albums and powered by a reasonable production job on top of that.

There are very few flaws to be found with this release, but perhaps the biggest one is the lack of memorable nature that is found on Slaughter of the Soul.  This is because the release is more focused on a futuristic sound instead of crafting something that warrants repeat listens.  Still, most metal heads will find something to like here.

All in all, this is a very strong work with plenty of variety and impact.  It is not the best album the genre has seen, yet an extremely potent work.  Fans of bands like Dark Tranquillity will find a lot to like here in particular.

Rating: 7.6/10

Review by JD on August 8, 2011.

When a band is named what is in Latin ‘Death is the beginning’... you know that there is something to it. Finnish Melodic Death Metallers are named as such. Mors Principium Est is a band that already has a leg up on things, when you can use Latin so wonderfully. Now lets see if this massive metal-inspired beast has some teeth for the attack.

Melodic Death Metal is what this bands does, but it is a pale explanation for them. With massive riffs and an uncanny ability to write amazing melodies and lyrics Mors Principium Est is Death Metal with a little more going for them than what they play. They are a lurking musical beast out to pound you into submission.

With the power of a nuclear battleship fully loaded but the finesse of a classical grand master pianist - these guys produced some of the best out there. Just listen to the tracks like the attacking power of 'Pure', the nasty riffing maelstrom of 'Two Steps Away' or take in the amazing lyrical and darkened trip as told by 'The Glass Womb'. The band creates some of the most memorable, nasty and truly moving metal that I have come across... truly spectacular in all areas of the music.

I cringe at what I am going to rate this album at. This is rare for me to do so. Mors Principium Est is a rare breed of metallic monster, they have a talent that cannot be calculated by mere mortals like us. They have finally made the nearest thing to a perfect album in this genre. Move over Children Of Bodom, Mors Principium Est has stomped on your keyboard cheesiness - and taken the Death Metal crown back to what Death truly is all about.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

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

Rating: 10 out of 10