This is the comeback album of this Greek band, which released the album "The Mystic Path To The Netherworld" in 1997. They disbanded a couple of years after and was resurrected in 2001 and now in 2005, they're finally ready with their new album on Season Of Mist. I can't say if there are any resemblances between the debut release and the new album, I've never heard Order Of The Ebon Hand's first album. I'm not even sure of how much of the line up there is preserved, from then till now.

The band delivers black metal, nice and heavy old school riffing, a dark atmosphere and an ice-cold and evil Burzum-like screams. The compositions are well made and fairly interesting. Mysterious and sombre spheres are all over the music. There are some great guitar work, the electronic elements used are great and adds a lot. The Saxophone used on the track 'Gateway To silence' is a great feature, and adds some mystery. The blend of old school black metal riffing, faster almost hyper speed parts and newer elements and the pace shifts make some varied songs.

Even though there are some good tracks on the album, and even though there are some variation, some tracks don’t stand the test of time. A track like 'The Visitors' is boring from the start. Fast riffing and an almost Attilla like moaning. It's been heard before, and better. Most of the material Order Of The Ebon Hand delivers on this album is interesting and effective and most for all atmospheric. A track like the strange almost interlude-like 'Eibon', which are very atmospheric with its repeated riff, couple of rhythms, great guitar lead and spoken word vocals and samples, is a very good break from the band’s usual music. There is even a quite good cover version of Siouxie And The Banshee's 'Spellbound' on the album.

Order Of The Ebon Hand has the future ahead of them, and if they continue to develop their style and put some of their influences a bit more in the background. They'll be able to release some really good masterpieces. This album is interesting and good, a great "new" start so to say.

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