Band:	Hail Spirit Noir
Album:	Pneuma
Style:	Blackened progressive metal, Psychedelic rock
Release date:	February 27, 2012
A review by:	Doc G.

01. Mountain Of Horror
02. Let Your Devil Come Inside
03. Against The Curse, We Dream
04. When All Is Black
05. Into The Gates Of Time
06. Haire Pneuma Skoteino

It has been philosophized that at every moment the universe destroys itself, then recreates itself just as quickly. If this were true, the only appropriate emotion for any human to have is a state of constant, yet pleasant surprise. Now, this theory does sound like a pile of absurd bullshit to me, but it seems like it can be appropriately applied to this bizarre form of black metal that Hail Spirit Noir put forth.

Where to begin...Yeah, Pneuma is definitely evil sounding, but Christ almighty, is it ever a blast to listen to! Take some post- type riffs found in Nachtmystium's latest album Addicts, now make them catchier, with a bit more bounce, have those riffs drift in and out of some rockabilly-esque guitar work that sounds like it belongs in some cheap 1950's horror movie. Liking it? It gets better; throw some organ behind it a la Acid Witch, then give it some gritty recent Darkthrone type vocals, and you've got the general idea...Until the later half of the album kicks in, then you're looking at something closer to Opeth during their 70's prog rock worship moments.

Spooky! Yes! That's the word I'm looking for! You know those dilapidated haunted house rides you go to at the carnival? The ones where the springs don't seem to work on any of the pop-out skeletons, a bit of the wall panelling has come down, a few bare electrical circuits showing, and there's a couple of toothless carnies, stoned out of their tree, fucking in the corner? You know how these little imperfections give the ride a much more sinister aura than it would if it saw proper upkeep? That's basically the feeling you get from Hail Spirit Noir

Like spooky, fun shit? Well, you know what to do - hop to it, asshole!