Vampiric Wrath Unleashed

Putting the black metal penchant for extreme productivity to the test, international band Order of Nosferat have released their fourth full-length album, Vampiric Wrath Unleashed, in under two years. This band's calling card, at least on this album and the last one, is a combination of cold, harsh second-wave black metal with melodic overtones via the use of keyboards and sparse, haunting instrumentals. "Shadows Over Wisborg" and "...of Treachery and Bloodshed" feature blasting drums and evil rasps while "A Howl From the Forbidden Tower" and "Fog Hide the Secrets of the Forlorn Kingdom" are barely audible with just low, simple, and chillingly creepy organ. As for creating the kind of dark and gloomy atmospheres you want from black metal, Order of Nosferat have that down pat. In terms of innovation or just plain variety, that is perhaps where the band's fecundity betrays them a bit. Vampiric Wrath Unleashed could easily have been called Nachtmusick Part 2 as it sounds almost identical to its predecessor. If you liked their last album, you now have another 44+ minutes of Order of Nosferat's brand of atmospheric horror.