Enslaved
Isa
Tabu Records
If this album was from someone else other that Enslaved, I'd probably recommend it wholeheartedly. However, considering the band's reputation as one of the longest-running and most progressive black-metal acts ever, it is sadly disappointing. There's just too many plodding, grim (read: boring) riffs that go nowhere. Every time they break away from same ol' tired formulas and decide to change up the rhythm or build upon the melody, the results are fantastic. It just doesn't happen nearly enough. I still think Enslaved are one of the world's best BM bands, I just wish they'd do more to keep moving the genre forward.
- Avi Roig