• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Several years have passed since I last listened to Judas Iscariot (blame it on an ever-growing collection), but I did remember "Heaven In Flames" to be one of my favourites back when I was on my Black Metal kick (read: listening almost exclusively to BM for an extended period) a few years back.  The album is mid to fast-paced, quite reminiscent of early Burzum, although the vocals are nowhere near as sick as Vikernes' - the vocal work here is nothing like the insane screams but more of a toned down raspy style that's quite fitting with the interesting mix of a dark and depressing atmosphere and the occasional more upbeat passages on display here.  Ambient keyboards are all over the place, sometimes not really adding much and in fact quite discreet, while at other times they almost steal they show and really drive the depressing/melancholic atmosphere, with a very poignant, soul-tormenting effect.  Some of the slowest passages are really morbid and solemn, very much like some of the most keyboard-intensive Burzum material.  The guitar work is very much in the early 90s BM style - sometimes a bit "undefined" and sounding like a muddy, monotonic collection of notes, then out of nowhere kicking into a more disciplined riff-o-rama that rocks your socks off.

Solemn, dark, hate-filled, tormenting, depressing, rocking - "Heaven in Flames" is the kind of album that reaches inside the listener and takes the darkest emotions out for a little tour around the block.  One of Judas Iscariot's best work, hands down.