“Stop me if you’ve heard this before.” Know that phrase? Well, if Kaamos had said that to me, then I would’ve pressed stop on the player after the first couple seconds of “Lvcifier Rising.” The aforementioned is far from bad, truthfully, as long as you’re able to overcome the fact that you’ve heard this shtick performed so many times before.

Essentially, Kaamos are a speedy death outfit that thrust their way through a number like “Black Revelation” with ease and confidence. Think of a slightly faster Vicious Art for best results. Rhythmically speaking, though, the band is impeccable. Gene Hoglan-esque (Strapping Young Lad, ex-Death) drumming is overtly present within the early compositions; exemplary guitar solos abound too, but it’s difficult to get excited about virtuosity when so much of it is being slung around these days by groups such as Arcturus, Quo Vadis, and Dream Theater. The vocalizations are of a standard variety, and don’t really venture off the aforesaid course. “Lvcifier Rising” is definitely a hate-filled journey, however. “Inaugurating Evil” and “Dark Void” are out to prove that conjecture in a violent fashion I might add. Admittedly, my attention drifted towards the end of “Lvcifer Rising” simply because I’ve been exposed to this particular style an uncountable amount of times. Nevertheless, “Sacrament in Red” and “Mysterious Reversion” are reasonably engaging, even though the latter uncharacteristically slows the tempo down until about the 1:00 minute mark.

Undoubtedly, there are cool moments within “Lvcifer Rising” that’ll take you by surprise. I just can’t fathom absolutely needing Kaamos’s latest in my burgeoning, CD stockpile. It’s not bad, but it’s not all that necessary either.

[This review was first published on the now defunct scandinavianmetal.info webzine]