Diabolical Hymns

Black metal in the vein of older Emperor and Immortal but with more embellishment and some synth work, Ishtar is very atmospheric and features some rather flat female vocals paired with very lengthy song compositions. This EP features slightly muddled production, but the sound is adequate to express the bands vision. At some points you have to wonder if better production wouldn't help the band immensely, but it could also strip away raw edge and intensity.

"Morkrets Furste" begins with a rolling piano intro that expands into airy distorted guitars and double kick bass. The piano stays in the fore until a simple two chord progression takes over. The singing is accompanied by a tinkling snyth sound. Emperor like breaks with speeding riffs pick the song up at various points, but eventually the song slows down and adds female vocals. It builds and builds until a heavy guitar crunch puts it to rest... Oh wait! more female vocals! Personally the song is a bit too long and meanders around too much. Cut out the unneeded repetition and streamline the parts down to five or even six minutes and they might have something more vibrant.

"Damnation" has some Burzum influence hiding behind the various intricacies and indulgences. Nothing could help this song more than turning down the keyboards and increase the bass/guitar in the mix.

The final track "Dismal Paradise" is more like it, with focus that doesn't bend down to the keyboards, though there are some completely unneeded keyboard like "solos" that cut the intensity down to nothing.

It's not something to be listened to more than once or twice, but it isn't horrible either. Those who enjoy a little flute with their black metal might enjoy it more, though it does retain a raw edge that could keep black metal purist happy.