Alastor a band which appears to have a long and solid history in the underground scene, (at least that’s what they and their new label No Colors records claim) has deployed in this their second full length one of the best “lectures” in how to blend cold, sinister black metal atmospheres with a melodic and catchy guitar base. Every song travels through a well structure, reasonable path of tempo variations and memorable riffs that create a sort of Immortal/Satyricon hybrid with it’s own personality and ideas.

Forgotten Woods is a perfect example of the intelligent use of alternative sounds, displaying some sort of “acoustic” segments right between the more classical black metal rhythms that they are creating in each song. Noble North’s foundation is black metal and once you listen to it, it may just sound in the surface as black metal, but underneath and if you pay enough attention, you’ll find a mixture of influences used to create some simple yet original riffs that may go from rock “catchy” to death “brutal” guitars.

The placement of the vocals as well as a perfectly timed drum work that sort of covers the entire production with a blasting ability to energize every segment of the songs, help induce that more raw element which we love so much black metal for.

I don’t care really if Alastor was, is or will be a well known and respected band in the underground, all I care is just how good this album is, and it is good, it contains so many things at once without overwhelming the listener, and more important it never gets boring or repetitive, truly an album to pursue and a sound to enjoy as well as decipher.