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Norway, the "Mecca" for unique Black Metal, has once again proved why they are well known for this particular genre of Heavy Metal. Pantheon-I was formed in Oslo in late 2002 and the band has released three studio albums thus far. The band's latest output is called From The Abyss They Rise and is a compilation of songs that cover 10 years of Pantheon-I's existence, including a cover of the classic Emperor song "Thus Spake the Nightspirit."

This collection starts with the band's latest EP and ends with the band's first 4-track demo, which they recorded way back in 2003. Musically, Pantheon I don't represent the grimmest or most primitive end of the Black Metal spectrum but focus more on complex song structures that have an avant-garde feel, especially the newer songs. Think of throwing Keep of Kalessin, Emperor and Ram-Zet in the same blender and the cocktail you end up with may taste like Pantheon-I.

As for rare demo songs, unfortunately it sounds like demo stuff; the sound quality is poor though gladly the music partly makes up that. The early music is also far more straightforward, primitive and faster compared with Pantheon-I's latest stuff but it still worth a listen, especially if you are more a fan of truly sinister and unrelenting underground Black Metal.

In my humble opinion, the first three songs alone make From the Abyss They Rise worth purchasing. Pantheon-I have proved that, over the years, musical progression can actually work little miracles when done wisely.