Review by Mario on January 25, 2008.

I thought everything has already been done in atmospheric music, but no! The material presented here is what the band' website claims to be "black metal covers of country and folk songs." To my big surprise Dead Raven Choir achieved something quite amusing and shocking to my senses; they actually proved that some innovations are still possible to occur, innovations that grab that more sensitive part of a listener.

Smolten, the man in charge here, used an unorthodox instrumentation [bowed bass fiddle along with distorted bass guitar, drums & screams] to haunt us with unprecedented, unheard of to me before sonic picture of eastern European folklore. The main recognizable factor here is the foreboding, eerie mood, climate that freezes me if only by recollecting it from my memory of countless listenings. I have checked it myself and I tell you this, for the best result listen to it during our nature' dead time, preferably in woods surrounded by flying ravens. It adds that extra effect on you.

Please, judge for yourself if DRCh are true in what they do. As for me the whole aura surrounding the band won my attention and I'm willing to check their next offering when it arrives. This is very mandatory listen!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 10
Originality: 10
Production: 8
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.2 out of 10