I was first introduced to BLUT AUS NORD's music about six years ago right after the release of their fourth album, "The Work Which Transforms God". Despite the impressive talent and skills displayed by the French trio, I found their brand of Black Metal way over the top and, at the time, never again thought of giving them a chance to grow on me. Since then, this combo has added two more full-length albums to their existing catalogue as well as other material such, one EP and two split records. However, unlike other European formations, until now they have not been able to reach appropriate recognition that many think they deserve, at least as far as the North American scene is concerned. With the band's seventh full album, "Memoria Vetusta II", I decided to give them another spin.

Only a few seconds after the end of the intro "Disciple Liberation", the opening track "Antithesis Of The Flesh" is quite impressive and shows just how far BLUT AUS NORD have come. With the songwriting achievements accomplished on this opus, these guys are on the verge of becoming a dominating force of the extreme Metal scene. With "Memoria Vetusta", the band manages to take the listener to another dimension by combining extreme elements with ice-cold melodies all together in the most agile manner. The whole thing is brutally enjoyable and does not leave any room to boredom or lassitude as the more you listen to this album, the more you'll get addicted to it.

This time around, there is a much stronger presence in the drumming as well as a very intelligent use of keyboards. Both have contributed to making each composition accessible to a larger audience. Despite the majority of the tracks (some of them exceeding the eight-minute mark) the music of BLUT AUS NORD turns out to be very easy to listen to. The most impressive tunes of the selection are "Translucent Body Of Air" as well as "The Formless Sphere", each one lasting about ten minutes in length along with the shorter but nonetheless infectious closing track, "Elevation"!

With the release of "Memoria Vetusta II - Dialogue With The Stars", BLUT AUS NORD have been able to bring their unique brand of atmospheric Black Metal to a level that is likely to open some new windows of opportunity. They were able to come up with a style of their own and literally cannot be compared to anybody else at this point. If you have been looking for new blood somewhat different from what the extreme Metal scene has lately offered, these Frenchmen most definitely are the answer.