REPHORMULA

"Rephormula" is a reissue of Ephel Duath's debut album, "Phormula". It consists of thirteen songs, eight of which are from the debut album and the rest are bonus tracks and remixes. From the opening track to "Insomnia's Desert", it's like listening to phormula with the only difference being the name of the last track that was titled as "Embossed" on the "Phormula" album. Up to this point, the ingredients are well known. Black metal mixed with electronics, classical music, use of synthesizers, screams and heavy guitar riffs. The tempos are fast, the song structures are strange and the changes (from one part to another) are sudden. Pretty original work, one of the best things black metal has to offer and probably one of the few black metal albums that can be scary at times. The programmed drums can be pretty annoying but the rest is pretty good and carefully done.

The two remixes are pretty much full of electronics and fail to capture my attention. The last three tracks are the first three tracks from Ephel Duath's demo tape, "Opera" released in 1998. The songs are in the vein of "Phormula" but a bit less prog and a bit more classical influenced I could say. Again, like I said for "Phormula" this is a good challenge for a prog metal fan. It's really hard to say who would really be attracted this (as well as "Opera" and "Phormula") since most black metal fans say it loses the point and sounds pretentious while prog metal fans think it's too black metal. While it's not my cup of tea, I can see the brilliance of the music and the compositions and ignore the programmed drums and the heaviness of the vocals and guitar riffs. I really think those three are good cds. However, I believe that Ephel Duath's later releases are much better but pretty different. Try it!

If you are not a black metal fan, this is NOT for you......if you are:

step into a wild world of the best underground black metal band this side of Emperor. The keys are awesome, the guitar leads are tastey and complex (widdly galore), the programmed (yes programmed) drums are actually not a hindrance by any stretch (but I love electronica laced black metal- so sue me)...the vocals are the standard fare for black metal, really screechy and intense.

Seriously, this is the best album in the style of Emperor's last three albums, but mostly like "anthems to the welkin at dusk" and "prometheus", this is really progressive and very technical black metal, so if you have distaste for black metal overall, or the inherent vocal style, fear not, this is a Prog/tech black metalgem.....

"RePhormula" is a re-release of the 2000 "Phormula" album by Italian black metal act Ephel Duath. "RePhormula" was released by Elitist/ Earache. The album is considered to be a seperate release though, with a new title, cover artwork and 5 additional tracks.

The eight first tracks on the album are the tracks from "Phormula". The next two tracks are remixes of "The Embossed" ( called "The Embossed (On the Corpse)" in this version) and "Instinkt" from "Phormula". "RePhormula" ends with the three tracks from the 1998 "Opera" demo.

The music on the album is experimental/ symphonic black metal with programmed drums. A band like Emperor often comes to mind because of the chaotic sounding swirling classical inspired synths. The programmed drums are an integrated part of the music rather than an excuse for real drums, which I unfortunately often find is the reasoning behind using programmed drums instead. There's good variation in the tempo on the album and you'll be exposed to both mid-paced and blasting sections. The vocals vary between harsh black metal rasps and clean vocal parts. The remixes aren't the most exciting thing if you ask me, but remixes are usually an aquired taste. The three bonus tracks from the "Opera" demo are pretty interesting listening though.

I gave "Phormula" a 4 star rating and there's no reason to give "RePhormula" anything less. It's not that the bonus tracks are the most nessesary additions to the original album, but they don't hurt either and personally I think it's pretty exciting to hear how innovative the band already were on their demo. A 4 star rating is deserved.