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This Greek band has been around since 1994 but I had never heard them before getting this album in the mail. Christian had reviewed an earlier release here a few years ago and I didn't even remember - strange considering the rather stand-out name. Naer Mataron's Black Metal revolves around Greek mythology and the sound itself is a cross between old school Norwegian and Swedish Black Metal - think of Burzum mixed with the speed of Marduk, for instance. They remind me a bit of Cirith Gorgor at times, and some parts remind me of pre-Mardraum Enslaved as well (not to the point of liking their overall sound to Enslaved, however.) One thing I really like here is the vocalist: He uses a rather "low screech" that blends into the music and never takes over, so it never feels like a pig is getting strangled in the studio (this is kind of out of context, I just happened to listen to a couple of horrible albums a few days ago. ;)) Overall the album is fast-paced, save for some slower intros and outros. Despite the fast style that is usually more of the "all-guns-blazing take-no-prisoners" variety, the band has managed to blend in some more or less catchy "melodic" moments, not of the flowery variety but more of the evil/dark type. Frankly at first I didn't expect to like this, but this ended up being another album that monopolized the CD player.