Band:	Blut Aus Nord
Album:	The Work Which Transforms God
Style:	Industrial black metal
Release date:	2003

01. End
02. The Choir Of The Dead
03. Axis
04. The Fall
05. Metamorphosis
06. The Supreme Abstract
07. Our Blessed Frozen Cells
08. Devilish Essence
09. The Howling Of God
10. Inner Mental Cage
11. Density
12. Procession Of The Dead Clowns
13. Mighty Trust Krusher [Godflesh cover]

Stemming from the brain of twisted genius Vindsval emanates Blut Aus Nord's black metal masterpiece: "The Work Which Transforms God." With such a grandiose album title you'd expect nothing less from the French trio.

Imagine yourself stranded alone in a post-apocalyptic metropolis that's cloaked in a blanket of perpetual darkness and despair, violent storms evoking harrowing winds that crush the dead structures that surround you, all the while you cower pathetically in a tiny hole waiting for your timely death... This is just one of the countless possible nightmares this piece will allow you the displeasure of experiencing. I hate to talk about "atmospheres" when it comes to black metal as it seems a little contrived nowadays but with this album it's unavoidable. So, for the purpose of this review I'll restrict my description to simple, concise words:

Crushing. Nihilistic. Cold. Terrifying.

All these give some indication of the disparity that this nasty yet beautiful work of art exudes; however, you'll have to listen to it for yourself to fully comprehend this.

The opener of the album, pretentiously entitled "End," is designed to lull the listener into a false sense of security with its near silent, almost ambient sounds of thuds and bangs that seem to echo down an empty corridor, all before throwing you head first into the albums first highlight "The Choir of the Dead." Seemingly chaotic riffs combined with insane, yet intricate drum beats that only the madman W.D.Feld could execute appear to serve as a failed barrier, trying to protect you from Vindsval's tortured shrieks that will leave you rocking back and fourth with your ears bleeding profusely. The track has unquestionable substance such as the howls of demented beings and unidentifiable industrial clicks and moans that only repeated listens will reveal.

Short ambient/industrial tracks such as "The Fall" and "Devilish Essence" will keep you second guessing this record as it tricks you into feeling safe with its odd piano notes and the droning whir of machinery in the background, whereas the mid-paced "Metamorphosis," which is much more vocally prolific than other tracks, keeps you feeling decidedly uncomfortable as Vindsval's croaks continually taunt you throughout the slow plodding march toward the end. The album's second highlight comes in the form of what could be described as the most accessible song: "Our Blessed Frozen Cells." Lengthy and much more coherent than the other songs, it's split into two distinct sections the first being a sinister slow march, much like "Metamorphosis" whereas the second part, after a short ambient section, has the most pleasant and melodic music you'll hear on this album and is comforting with it's echoing guitars and slow drums. The final section, after the 18 seconds of silence from "Density," is a looping, wonderfully emotive and melancholic instrumental piece and is undoubtedly the best song on the album. This song, "Procession of the Dead Clowns," will make you feel like you've died and are on a slow journey to the afterlife. Inspiring stuff.

With its mixture of complex, pummelling drums, dissonant guitar work and minimal vocals combined with artful use of ambience and industrial effects all encompassed by crisp, clear yet raw production, Blut Aus Nord have created a truly unique Black Metal opus with unparalleled atmosphere that I'm unable to compare with anything else I've ever heard. You need to hear this.