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I'm a big fan of Runemagick's last 2 CDs, so I was happy to get ahold of this, their second album from back in '99. I expected "Enter the Realm of Death" to be more generic than the band's later releases, but I was pleasantly surprised.

This is easily one of Runemagick's best. "Enter" has that distinctive Runemagick sound, with the doomy riffs and slightly oriental flair to the solos. But the songwriting here is far more solid than on "Requiem for the Apocalypse". You always get your money's worth with a Runemagick CD, as their albums are usually close to an hour long, but here the last half doesn't seem to drag on. As always the songs are long and generally midpaced or slow – this is not a band that relies on blastbeats or double-bass abuse. Runemagick are all about crunch and riff and cool-ass song titles like "Longing For Hades" and "Dreamvoid Serpent" – and the songs are as cool as they sound. "Dwellers Beyond Obscurity", "Abyss of Desolation" – this whole CD just rules.

A very nice jewel case package here, with cool artwork reminiscent of Frazetta and excellent art design on the interior. All they lyrics are included, and they aren't bad at all. Nice to read some DM lyrics that aren't all about satan and dismemberment. And for those who are wondering if I have lost my ability to count: There are 13 songs on the CD, but the bonus track at the end is part of track 12, and so the player will read 12 tracks.

If you know Runemagick, then this is another excellent CD in their catalogue and well worth the price for any death metaller. If you are hankering for some death metal that isn't a million miles an hour and satan-shrieking, then give Runemagick a spin, I bet you'll be glad you did. Runemagick are a rare death metal band that manage to be original without getting all weird (à la Opeth), and their distinctive and doomy sound is both refreshing and addictive. Definitely recommended.