Genre: Black metal
Origin: Germany
Released: 2008
Website: Apocalyptic Fire
Label: Black Devastation Records
Uploaded: 16.04.09

This re-released demo is quite interesting, as it seems to dwell in the anguished black metal of Krohm, Leviathan, Forgotten Tomb and the likes, but what the end-result really remind me of is Ancient Wisdom. The melodic passages create an atmosphere. A cold, harsh atmosphere that brings to mind Vinterland’s masterful album Welcome my last chapter.
However, musically this has little in common with Vinterland, and is more to the earlier works of Ancient Wisdom, as said before. Ranging from slow to mid-tempo it is a very trance-inducing pace for the most time, and what keeps it from becoming repetitive is the slick use of melodic riffing. The guitars can invoke feelings of sadness as well as overwhelming hopelessness, and this is where Apocalyptic Fire excels. But still there’s just a little something missing, although I can’t say what. It might be the missing lyrics, since without them you’re not really sure what the tunes are all about, and you miss out on crucial emotions the lyrics would deliver. When the music is of such an emotional and negative effort I want the lyrics with it to fully grasp the message.
The cold vocals do well in adding to the icy atmosphere, but the guitar sound does not. There’s just something about it that bugs me, but otherwise it’s fairly well-produced in its own minimalism. It’s a recording that gets my attention and makes me wonder what their next output will sound like. And with the right sound (and lyrics, of course) I’m sure they’ll be able to provide us with a marvelous record after this one.

Tracklist:
01. My vision
02. The big olds
03. See the reality
04. The end
05. The seals are broken
06. Black horizon