Kainsmal

Geist are a German melodic (e.g. early Taake/Abigor/Helheim) black metal band on the highly acclaimed Cold Dimensions label. The music is well structured and obviously thought out.

What detracts me from this album mostly is the fact that it has been done and that it sort of just drags along without any type of power or enthusiasm. The mix is very clean, which for this style is not so good. The drums, particularly the cymbals are very bright and pushing through the mix. They overpower everything really, the guitars sounding very thin and weak, like a child tugging on it's mother's leg at the store. I don't understand why more attention wasn't paid to this as the guitarists are not bad. The vocalist seems to sort of tag along for the ride. His approach is to just speak loud and distortedly. It seems very restrained, part of what contributes to the overall lack of balls.

They're by no means anything special but if you like the aforementioned bands then you may find them enjoyable.

*Favorite track- In Pans Hallen