Review by JD on July 24, 2010.

Split CD’s are sometimes the best sway to be showcasing two great bands. Or it can show a band that is not quite ready for having a proper full album. Either way, it is interesting to see what ever the packaging could bring to the table.

UK’s Old Corpse Road is one of the bands I really do appreciate. They play the style of brutally heavy Pagan Metal just the way I like it to be done. This is just the next step in their journey, a journey that I am glad to be on with them. They have equal amounts of being massively heavy yet have a amazing amount of talent that just accents their sheer force... not too many other bands can combine the two. The only drawback is that I want a full album, but I gotta be patient I guess.

The Meads Of Asphodel hails also from Britain as well, playing true Black Metal with the added punch of Death Metal. Powerful as they are unrepentant of their dark leanings, they match up well with OCR and makes this split CD totally enjoyable. With heaviness matching up with power, this band should be acclaimed for not only musically being punishing, but with the ability to write engrossing and smart lyrics that match up so well with the music.

This split CD is one of the best I have heard displaying to deserving bands. It is worth your while to get it, especially if these are bands you don’t know yet. Both deserve and need to be listened to, to be appreciated and just to be.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship:9
Atmosphere: 8.5
Production: 9
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.7 out of 10

Review by Alex on April 14, 2020.

Coming from Finland is a mayhemic, loud an battering form of thrash and black metal; total annoyance, total anarchy. Seemingly sloppy at times as if half the band is playing one thing and the other half has their own parliament going on; not for those of you who are looking for some kind of decency in music. Templar sounds like they really don't give a damn about anyone or anything; no cares for any of that hippie analytical shit like coordination or timing and flow, they're just doing them.

The music (hahaha "music") on their debut demo is destructive and barbarian yet there are some moments to be highlighted like the riffing on 'Templaric 女武侠' and 'Flaming Metal Supremacy' that in contrast to the ruckus of a production, delivers on some six-stringed delight. And in a manner of adding some amusement to the intentional clatter, Templar's vocalist appears to have an excessive liking for the 'ooh', so much that its used in teasing and joking ways often.

Oh there's more, the way this guy screams is lawless, a real commonplace style of vocals. Those attempts at accented yells combined with the gibberish-like vocals and the messy production and musicianship makes for a listen that you can't help but laugh. Favorite tracks? 'Flaming Metal Supremacy', 'War Lesbians' and 'Renegade Templar of the Radiating Deserts', I think those are the most entertaining of the bunch perhaps due to the way they mock all things music; though I would say the twin guitar solo did ironically show some competence. It's only 18 minutes in duration, yea it's a short stretch during the hurdle towards the finish line but its too comical to not find some amusement and laughter in.

A brilliant cluster-fuck of drumming, riffing and chirks or weird attempts at King Diamond screams, yet a comedy of errors never sounded so damn essential. Knights of Nuclear Hell Decibelfucking the Charred Remains of the Christ is probably what metal in its primitive, naked form sounded like before being clothed and matured. Highly recommended for cavemen and people that have been practicing social distancing long before COVID-19.

Rating: 7 out of 10