Review by Anna on February 24, 2010.

Chaos Invocation is a new Black Metal band from none other than Germany, and this is their first album. As with all emerging Black Metal bands today, one is wise to withhold any measure of expectation as they repeatedly prove themselves unworthy and uncreative.

As "In Bloodline With The Snake" started playing, I excitedly looked forward to giving them a big fat 0 for the originality category that MetalBite requests. It would have been the highlight of my day, other than the two chivito sandwiches I thoroughly enjoyed. As the second track started I realized I couldn't exactly give them a zero, perhaps a 1 or a 2. But the more I listened, the more I realized I couldn't do that at all, because Chaos Invocation does in fact show some indication of their own fingerprint, despite the fixed genre template. I would still not be able to tell them apart among the oceans of other Black Metal bands today, but at the very least, they have given their music a measure of personal touch.

I really cannot say that this is a bad album although I rather dislike the "Swedish"-style speed-picked riff & blast-beat combo, which this album is full of. The effects and subsequent resonations were key in carving out the necessary atmosphere, and I was even treated to a few decent riffs and some soloing. The occasional speaking at various parts of the album was a nice touch, and lacked any trace of a German accent (congratulations). Their competency in song-writing is clear, but undoubtedly, as the genre is cluttered with re-dos of the same great music for years on end, burn-out (of the torch) is sadly inevitable. What would have set afire a flame in my eyes last decade at most receives a grimace of semi-approval today.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 9
Originality: 6
Overall: 7

Rating: 7.4 out of 10