Review by Kate on March 27, 2011.

Hailing from New Jersey, Krieg is bringing us something more than just your typical Black Metal album. They dare to delve deeper into more experimental sounds and darker realms with their latest album “The Isolationist”. Imperial’s vocals come across with devastation that fills you with a sense of anxiety that you can’t quite explain. They also come across very distinctly in almost a hypnotizing manner.

The haunting track 'Photographs From An Asylum' throws you into an abyss with Imperial’s screams of horror and growls that ooze out in the darkness. Supplied by insane blast beats and riffs that supply a certain rhythm in between all of the madness; this one of their tracks that stood out to me the most. 'All Paths To God' starts out in a chugging manner but then breaks into a pattern that has no rhyme or reason to it and then goes back into that rhythmic movement, it completely fits in with the whole feel of the album. 'Depakote' starts out very aggressive but then goes into this bizarre state where Imperial sounds almost possessed and keeps you in a trance for about two minutes before it goes back to its original brutal form. Very bizarre but well done! 'Blue Of Noon' goes back to more of a traditional Black Metal sound but it never drops the intensity level in any way. '…And The Stars Fell On' is another track that stands out with a great riff that’s played throughout and keeps wrapping itself into your psyche until the very end where it’s cut off by a sharp static at the end. 'Remission' is a warped track that has you feeling like you’re tripping on some acid and it just won’t wear off no matter what and 'Dead Windows' finally finishes you with another fantastic riff and Imperial’s savage vocals.

The music is complex and the performed at top notch, I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I first heard this but “The Isolationist” is a compelling album that will always keep you wondering as to what’s coming next.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8.0
Atmosphere: 8.0
Production: 8.0
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8.0

Rating: 8.1 out of 10