When discussing rock 'n' roll, heaven and hell, good and evil, only one question really needs to be answered: Between angel and devil, who's got the better tunes? The answer, whether we like it or not, is the latter, as evidenced by this 14-song retrospective from Sweden Christian death/pseudo black metal act Pantokrator. (Me neither.) The opening cut "Punish The Evil" proves an interminable trip through raw underground metal, while "Unclean Plants" (perhaps the most baffling metal title ever) reeks of false metal despite its attempts to sound "dark" and "disturbing." "Leviathan" finds the band (albeit
momentarily) making a nice stride but sounds as though it were recorded in a greenhouse among some rather unclean, well, yes, plants. "Separated By Night"
features some nice pseudo NWOBHM guitar work but devolves into another mundane riff gauntlet. Seven unreleased tracks are yours for the taking if you've actually dealt with and like these guys, otherwise avoid at pretty much any cost, even the salvation of your soul.
Track Listing
1. Punish The Evil
2. Unclean Plants
3. Come Let Us Flee
4. Bundsforvant
5. Leviathan
6. Lamentation
7. Nebuchandnezzar
8. Gudablodets Kraft
9. Separated By Night
10. Via Dolorosa
11. Tidevarv
12. Cut Into Pieces
13. White Robes
14. Psalm 29