13/03/06

MYSTIC CIRCLE / THE BLOODY PATH OF GOD

If you’re looking for a good Symphonic Black Metal album look no further than this, the new CD from German band Mystic Prophecy, their first for new label Dockyard and a damned fine record it is too.

If you don’t know of the band there sound is a cross between Lord Belial and early Cradle Of Filth, with a bit of Dimmu Borigir thrown in for good measure and if that mix doesn’t tempt you, nothing will. The songs are true Black Metal with a liberal sprinkling of melody (but not over bearing), check out the title track, "The Bloody Path Of God", "The Forgotten" or "Church Of Suffering" to see what I mean and they can get very brutal as "Doomsday Prophecy" or the inspired "Hellborn" for absolute proof. Overall this is a very fine CD that I can unreservedly recommend and there is a very fine cover of the Celtic Frost number, "Circle Of Tyrants" as an added bonus.