THY SERPENT -

THY SERPENT - LORDS OF TWILIGHT - SPINEFARM
My serpent? I don't have any serpents! What are you talking about, man? Get a grip! I suppose the band is perfectly suited for a label called... Spinefarm!
This is officially an EP, but at eight songs and clocking in at 33% longer than your average Deicide album, it ranks as value for your money. The true test though lies in the music and here the effect is largely hit and miss. Thy Serpent's "leftovers" EP is a compilation of impressive tracks with incredibly clear, yet powerful, production (e.g. The Forest Of Blakulla) and a mishmash of redundant keyboard interludes which serve no purpose on a metal album. Thy Serpent or Finnish-release subscribers should obtain this melodic, yet sinister, sampler from the band’s 1993 - 1997 archives. Beyond that one should try a more concrete release first before contemplating obtaining this disc. - Ali "The Metallian"

THY SERPENT - DEATH - SPINEFARM
A sign of life from the revamped line up (foregoing all occult leanings of the past) of these Finns; and an impressive MCD to boot. Elegantly clad in a jacket fit for its title, Death surpasses previous Thy Serpent releases through the power of composition. It is difficult to articulate the power of the haunting melodies etched here. Deathbearer has a drawn Dissection sound, albeit with the übermelodie of Thy Serpent. Wounds of Death is more somber and goths in passion. Sleep in Oblivion takes over from Emperor et al and manages to deliver in metallic form - unlike the Norwegians. Not for everyone, Death may well become a flag bearer for the somber, for the depressed and for those demanding more thought from their music. - Ali "The Metallian"