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Loch Ness Rising is the debut album from American Black Metal band HaXXan. These guys play a hybrid brand of Black Metal that combines traditional guitar work that is more in line with pioneers like Celtic Frost and full-on rasping vocals from the second wave. There is little to no tremolo picking or blasting drums and I, for one, don't mind a bit. HaXXan draw their lyrical inspiration from the works and life of Aleister Crowley and do a superb job creating the dark and evil atmosphere the material demands. They also work in some excellent instrumentals ("Aiwass" and "The Aethyr") that add to the overall gloom with mystical and exotic melodies. With the mainly mid-paced tempos and somewhat discernable vocals, many songs are surprisingly accessible, like "93" and "Beyond the Grace of God", but that shouldn't scare off the diehards. HaXXan play Black Metal; this is not of the current Black/Thrash/Speed phenomena. Check out Loch Ness Rising, especially if you are looking for an alternative to the tremolo/blast beat Black Metal formula, you will not be disappointed.