Review by Adam M on April 10, 2013.

This is a classic sounding Heavy Metal album in the Mercyful Fate style. There are operatic vocals present with this band that actually do a good job dealing with the King Diamond-like registers. This is actually my second exposure to the band and it’s another solid appearance after already hearing the great "The World. The Flesh. The Devil".

There are a number of great old school riff patterns to be found here, right from the excellent opening number 'In The Darkness'. The music never slows past a nice mid-pace which also manages to keep the energy registers flowing. There are some devilish imagery traits to be found in the lyrics, but also even in only the guitar tone itself. This element of being likened to evil deities is done better here than what a band like Ghost does, in my opinion. The riffs keep coming with more and more levels of goodness to them. The entire album is atmospheric in a chilling way, which helps maintain the mood the band is aiming at. The band still loses a bit of steam compared to the classic Mercyful Fate material because the songs here aren’t quite as memorable as those of "Melissa" or "Don’t Break The Oath". Regardless, there is a lot of music to enjoy here and enough variety in the chrous’ and verse lines to keep you coming back for more. In Solitude had a winner with their self-titled album, but it also recommended to check up on the sequel release, which is very good too.

There aren’t many bands that can play the classic stuff well these days and this is certainly one of them. Very enjoyable and listenable stuff is to be found on the self-titled album.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 7.5
Originality: 7.5
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.1 out of 10

Review by JD on September 19, 2010.

Polish Progressive metallists Votum have handed the world a new opus that is oddly called "Metafiction". I have not heard of them yet, aside from friends that are more into the Progressive Rock and Metal end of things (I love Prog - a guilty pleasure, but my heart is heavier). With that... shall we jump in?

At first listen, you might not agree with the whole metal tag for the band, but take it from me - it is metal, and so much more as well. With a wall of shifting complexity that is accented by a purity of heaviness underlying a shifting musical landscape that is bleak, yet full of life as well, this album shows that this is a thinking person’s band.

The music is this sort of odd mixing of Rush gone sort of metal, Opeth and some doomish stylizing of Pink Floyd. It is that odd incorporating of shifting feels that combines artistry, camouflaged power all into a group of musicians that seriously love metal but wanted to do way more with it than others have done before them. This is what the band was going for and they really did deliver the goods.

Are Votum over-the-top eclectic? - yes, are Votum rather strange? - yes, are they still metal despite it all? - Fuck, yes! They may not be everybody’s favourite when all is said and done but they are a band that has talent to spare while still trying to keep true to their metallic roots. I think one day, if they keep this particular line-up, will find that wonderful bridging between metal and Progressive that has eluded many acts before them. This is a good album, yet it is not a great one yet... but I still enjoy it. More please!!!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship:8.5
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 8
Originality: 9
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

Review by Jack on November 3, 2001.

Suidakra was a band I had never heard of until the other day, when I was recommended them by an affiliate in metal. Hmmm. My first impressions, were obviously what I thought of the band name; and title of album/songs. Suidakra is a funny name and to a non-native speaker of German, and having dealt extensively in Asia for much of my life, the name Suidakra reeks of Japanese feudalism. “The Arcanum” is the title of their latest effort and has nothing to with Japan, and even Asia.

“The Arcanum” is pure symphonic black metal. Not your Darkthrone or Burzum, but more in the vein of older Dimmu Borgir or Old Man’s Child but possessing a bit extra than the two aforementioned outfits. Clean vocals and evil black snarls adorn “The Arcanum” and chop and change without requiring much adaptation. Vocals range from their unique vocal style through most of their songs; to a Hansi type vocal (Blind Guardian) on the ballad: ‘Rise of Taliesin’ and then to an almost carbon copy of Pasi’s vocal style (Amorphis) on ‘The One Piece Puzzle’.

The general atmosphere of Suidakra’s “The Arcanum” is one of medieval-ness and murkiness, with quaint floral guitar riffs and run of the mill drumming. The murky atmosphere unfortunately translates over to the production a little bit, not a huge amount... but it is noticeable enough to drown out some of the clean vocals in places which I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, but certainly detracts from the “The Arcanum” listening experience.

Those little niggling points aside “The Arcanum” is a little beauty of an album, not really trying to outdo other bands in the same flavor, but containing enough diversity to impress this reviewer.

Bottom Line: Nothing out of the immediate ordinary, but the folks that bring you “The Arcanum” are extremely diverse musicians that carry a touch of class and make Suidakra an interesting and rewarding purchase.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by Jack on November 3, 2001.

Suidakra was a band I had never heard of until the other day, when I was recommended them by an affiliate in metal. Hmmm. My first impressions, were obviously what I thought of the band name; and title of album/songs. Suidakra is a funny name and to a non-native speaker of German, and having dealt extensively in Asia for much of my life, the name Suidakra reeks of Japanese feudalism. “The Arcanum” is the title of their latest effort and has nothing to with Japan, and even Asia.

“The Arcanum” is pure symphonic black metal. Not your Darkthrone or Burzum, but more in the vein of older Dimmu Borgir or Old Man’s Child but possessing a bit extra than the two aforementioned outfits. Clean vocals and evil black snarls adorn “The Arcanum” and chop and change without requiring much adaptation. Vocals range from their unique vocal style through most of their songs; to a Hansi type vocal (Blind Guardian) on the ballad: ‘Rise of Taliesin’ and then to an almost carbon copy of Pasi’s vocal style (Amorphis) on ‘The One Piece Puzzle’.

The general atmosphere of Suidakra’s “The Arcanum” is one of medieval-ness and murkiness, with quaint floral guitar riffs and run of the mill drumming. The murky atmosphere unfortunately translates over to the production a little bit, not a huge amount... but it is noticeable enough to drown out some of the clean vocals in places which I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, but certainly detracts from the “The Arcanum” listening experience.

Those little niggling points aside “The Arcanum” is a little beauty of an album, not really trying to outdo other bands in the same flavor, but containing enough diversity to impress this reviewer.

Bottom Line: Nothing out of the immediate ordinary, but the folks that bring you “The Arcanum” are extremely diverse musicians that carry a touch of class and make Suidakra an interesting and rewarding purchase.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10