Band:	Envenom Ascension
Album:	Murkland
Style:	Black metal
Release date:	March 2007
A review by:	Lucas

01. Thirty Pieces Of Silver
02. Rubicon
03. Voyage Across The River Styx
04. Serve Thy Serpent
05. Slain
06. By The Flames Of Muspell
07. Nefarious
08. Omnipotent Satan
09. Murkland

With both of the bandmembers having a history in the earlier discussed USBM band Bound By Entrails, the expectations were not too high for "Murkland", the second full-length by Envenom Ascension. The gods of Norway have had a strong influence on these fellows and their music, and because of that I do not really deem it necessary to give you a detailed description of the music. Go to any metalstore whose selection is not completely rubbish, go to the Black metal section and grab a random album. It will sound exactly like this one, I dare say that. Simple riffwork, a folky piece of acoustic, some drum blasts and a wretched scream, et voilá.

The only good thing that has not been done a million times before, are the extremely high-pitched bat screams that vocalist Nitoh Mahkwi employs at regular intervals. They are strongly reminiscent of Noktu from the French Mortifera, and together they are the only vocalists that I am aware of that can screech so high. Unfortunately that is about it.

Runefire claims to release only renewing acts and worthwhile bands, but I am seriously starting to doubt that. Envenom Ascension's "Murkland" is by no means a bad album, but also no more than a strong segment of the endless grey stream of average Black Metal bands. Interpret that as you please.